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Elementary educators are witnessing rising challenges that extend far beyond academics. According to the CDC, signs of mental health concerns are emerging earlier than everânearly 1 in 3 children show symptoms of anxiety or depression, and many lack the social-emotional skills needed for healthy relationships and classroom engagement.
Chronic absenteeism now affects over 1 in 3 students nationwide (CDC, 2023), while schools report increased behavioral issues and disconnected peer interactions.
Compounding these concerns, early exposure to unfiltered social media has been linked to increased loneliness, low self-esteem, and delayed emotional developmentâespecially in younger children still forming identity and social awareness (U.S. Surgeon General Advisory, 2023).
âWe have to meet kids where they are â they are on video games and social media.â â Charisse Beach, M.Ed.
Because todayâs learners engage through play. A well-designed video game meets students where they areâon screensâand turns social-emotional learning into an immersive, interactive experience. Instead of resisting screen time, we transform it into growth time, using gameplay to teach empathy, focus, and resilience in ways worksheets never could.
JAW Zen is the mindful companion to the JAW video game experienceâdesigned to help students pause, reflect, and regulate. Rooted in trauma-informed practices and social-emotional learning, JAW Zen equips educators with simple, guided activities that teach breathing, focus, and emotional awareness. Whether used to start the day or reset the classroom, JAW Zen brings calm, connection, and intention into learning spaces.
The JAW Zen Toolkit helps educators bring mindfulness and social-emotional learning into the classroomâwithout adding stress or prep time. Whether you’re starting the day, transitioning between lessons, or managing a tough moment, these tools make it easy to support student well-being in real time.
đ Week-by-Week SEL Lessons
Structured guides aligned with each JAW game levelâcovering themes like empathy, self-regulation, confidence, and focus.
đ§ Breathing & Movement Cards
Simple, calming visuals that teach students how to reset their minds and bodiesâgreat for individual or whole-class use.
đŁď¸ Reflection Prompts & Journals
Guided questions and printable pages that help students explore emotions, track growth, and strengthen self-awareness.
đ¨ Creative Mindfulness Activities
Hands-on experiences like gratitude drawings, emotion check-ins, and peaceful visualization practices to spark curiosity and connection.
đŠâđŤ Educator Integration Guide
Tips for using the Toolkit flexibly with Google Classroom, small groups, or as part of your SEL routineâeven if you’re short on time.
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The JAW Zen Educator Hub is your space to bring learning to lifeâacademically, emotionally, and globally.
With the JAW Game, students dive into adventure-based learning that builds curiosity, cultural awareness, and critical thinking. With JAW Zen, they practice mindfulness, emotional regulation, and self-awareness in ways that last. And with the Educator Hub, you have everything you need to guide that journeyâweek by week, level by level.
Whether you’re introducing SEL for the first time or deepening your current approach, this hub was built for educators like you: committed, creative, and ready to lead with heart.