THE FRAMEWORK

Heart. Leaf. Shield.

Heart, Leaf, and Shield give children simple symbols they can remember when a conversation moves from the page into everyday life. Kind actions. Calm actions. Brave actions.

HEART

Kindness

How can I show care for myself and others?

The Heart reminds us to care for ourselves and others. Kindness is how we show love through our words, our actions, and even our thoughts.

Care
Empathy
Connection
Inclusion
Belonging

LEAF

Calm & Growth

Can I pause, notice, and make a thoughtful choice?

The Leaf reminds us to slow down, breathe, pause, and notice. When we are calm, we can think clearly and make better choices for ourselves and others.

Pause
Breathe
Notice
Reflect
Thoughtful Choices

SHIELD

Bravery & Safety

Is this safe? Do I need help from a trusted adult?

The Shield reminds us to stay safe and be brave. Being brave does not mean we are not scared. It means we do the right thing even when it feels hard. The Shield connects with boundaries, trusted adults, speaking up and asking for help, and making caring, safe choices.

Courage
Boundaries
Caring and Safe Choices
Speaking Up
Asking for Help
Trusted Adults

SEL CONNECTIONS

Intentional alignment

The book establishes the Heart, Leaf, Shield Framework. The resources expand its applications and are grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) principles.

Heart: Social Awareness and Relationship Skills
Leaf: Self Awareness, Self Management, and Responsible Decision Making
Shield: Responsible Decision Making, Self Awareness, and Relationship Skills

BELONGING

Belonging Runs Through All Three

Heart helps us care for one another. Leaf helps us pause, listen, and remain curious. Shield reminds us that safety and dignity matter for ourselves and others. Every person matters. We all have a place in the communities we share.

Brave & Kind includes children from different backgrounds, traditions, abilities, and experiences. The story creates opportunities to recognize something familiar, encounter something new, notice differences and similarities, and make room for what makes each person special.