Lots of things can cause kids can have big emotions - the first days of school, changes in family situations, loss of a pet or a friend moving away, an upcoming test, or simply knowing they have to talk about something, but they just aren't sure how. While these moments can be challenging to manage, they are also reminders that we, as adults, have the opportunity to help children proactively build connections, strengthen communication, and begin creating a caring community, whether that be in the classroom or elsewhere.
Students need opportunities to identify what they and their peers are feeling, learn how to communicate those emotions, support one another, and recognize that they are part of a community where everyone belongs. That is why playful, hands-on projects that build these skills can be so valuable, especially at the beginning of the year.
The Vibe Village "Book-n-Build Kit", created in collaboration with 3DuxDesign - the nationally recognized STEM education company, takes that learning one step further. The kit pairs Tom Tracy's book Jazmyne's Big Emotions - a book that affirms and validates emotional responses while exploring effective coping strategies, with 3DuxDesign's proven hands-on creative approach to learning and design. Reading Jazmyne's Big Emotions introduces the importance of having a diverse set of coping strategies, not the least of which includes having a strong social support system. Each youth then designs and builds structures representing places where they feel happy, safe, or supported. They then add their own “Go-To Crew”—characters who help them in different ways. Collectively, the individual creations become that child's "Vibe Village".
This STEM-based learning experience helps build resilience by allowing students to construct a physical model of their personal support system—their “Vibe Village”— while engaging in open‑ended design, problem‑solving, and emotional exploration. The kit can be used by all children and is particularly effective for those who may struggle with verbal expression, offering a tactile, creative, and developmentally appropriate pathway for processing feelings.
Students need opportunities to identify what they and their peers are feeling, learn how to communicate those emotions, support one another, and recognize that they are part of a community where everyone belongs. That is why playful, hands-on projects that build these skills can be so valuable, especially at the beginning of the year.
The Vibe Village "Book-n-Build Kit", created in collaboration with 3DuxDesign - the nationally recognized STEM education company, takes that learning one step further. The kit pairs Tom Tracy's book Jazmyne's Big Emotions - a book that affirms and validates emotional responses while exploring effective coping strategies, with 3DuxDesign's proven hands-on creative approach to learning and design. Reading Jazmyne's Big Emotions introduces the importance of having a diverse set of coping strategies, not the least of which includes having a strong social support system. Each youth then designs and builds structures representing places where they feel happy, safe, or supported. They then add their own “Go-To Crew”—characters who help them in different ways. Collectively, the individual creations become that child's "Vibe Village".
This STEM-based learning experience helps build resilience by allowing students to construct a physical model of their personal support system—their “Vibe Village”— while engaging in open‑ended design, problem‑solving, and emotional exploration. The kit can be used by all children and is particularly effective for those who may struggle with verbal expression, offering a tactile, creative, and developmentally appropriate pathway for processing feelings.
Get Your "Vibe Village" Kit Here
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Each kit comes with the following:
What People Are Saying:
"One of my favorite parts of these projects is seeing how quickly students open up when they have something to build, point to, and share. The Emotion Tracker Pal and Vibe Village give kids such a gentle way to talk about who they are, what they feel, and what helps them feel supported."
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About the Creators
The product was co‑developed by Tom Tracy, licensed clinical social worker and founder of Tom Tracy Books and Whatever Workbooks, and Dr. Marci Klein, pediatrician and president of 3DuxDesign. Their collaboration merges their combined clinical expertise in childhood development with open‑ended architectural STEM design, resulting in a developmentally appropriate tool that supports both cognitive and social‑emotional growth while giving children opportunities to experience success. |
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