Our games & books are designed with love and expertise to engage both caregivers and children within the 2 to 12-year-old age range. While they remain enjoyable and beneficial for children of many ages, our primary focus and meticulous research have honed these games to perfectly match the developmental needs of youngsters in this pivotal age group.
According to the CDC, 44% of teenagers report feeling persistently sad or hopelessness. 30% of teenage girls and 45% of LGTBQ+ teens have seriously considered attempting suicide during the past year. On top of that, 50% of Americans are lonely.
These statistics are terrifying - as we grapple with a concerning surge in mental health challenges among teenagers, our mission takes on greater urgency. While resources for teenagers are vital, we also need to get ahead of this issue for children today by better equipping them with the emotional and relational skills needed to take on the challenges that will come.
We believe that nurturing emotional strength is not just essential but imperative in today's world. It plays a pivotal role in mitigating the risk of mental health issues while fostering holistic well-being. Together, we are committed to building a brighter, emotionally resilient future
We've collaborated closely with a team of esteemed experts, including psychologists and researchers, to pinpoint the fundamental cognitive-emotional skills essential for thriving and building emotional strength.
In building this skills framework, we have taken into account the research based frameworks around emotional and cognitive health (CASEL, RULER, Executive Functions, Touchpoints, and more), the active desires and needs of parents today, and the protective factors that safeguard against negative mental health issues. Based on this analysis, we have decided to focus on the following five skills to strengthen emotional health. Our skills include:
These skills not only help children navigate their immediate world but also contribute to their long-term social, emotional, cognitive, and holistic growth. Children with higher social-emotional skills in kindergarten are more likely to experience both social and academic success in early adulthood (Jones, D.E., Greenberg, M., & Crowley, M., 2015). These competencies help children navigate social and emotional challenges and prepare them for success in academics and life beyond childhood. Students participating in SEL programs scored an average of 11 percentile points higher on standardized tests compared to their peers (CASEL, 2017). Cultivating these skills early sets a strong foundation for their future well-being and contributes to their capacity to form healthy relationships, make informed choices, and overcome obstacles as they grow. In fact, children with more developed social-emotional skills are also more likely to graduate from high school and have a full-time job by age 25 (Jones et al., 2015).
Building emotional strength in children is paramount to their ability to navigate life’s challenges and thrive throughout life. Emotional strength encompasses a spectrum of skills, including emotion identification, emotion regulation, empathy, perseverance & resilience, and self-esteem - all of which are fundamental to maintaining psychological well-being, cultivating healthy relationships, and achieving academic and occupational success.
A study published in the "American Journal of Public Health" found that for every one-point increase in a child’s social competence score in kindergarten, they were twice as likely to attain a college degree and 46% more likely to have a full-time job by the age of 25.
Furthermore, research consistently underscores the importance of emotional intelligence in adulthood, linking it to various positive outcomes such as career success, mental health, and relationship satisfaction. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) reports that students who participate in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs showed an 11 percentile-point gain in academic achievement over students who did not participate in SEL programs, highlighting the noteworthy impact of emotional competence on academic performance.
In nurturing emotional strength from a young age, we are not merely supporting children’s immediate well-being but are also investing in their future capacity to constructively engage with life’s challenges, forge meaningful relationships, and realize their fullest potential in adulthood.
Each product we craft is thoughtfully tailored to allow children to practice specific core skills, all at a level suitable for their age. We wholeheartedly encourage children to engage with multiple games regularly, creating a dynamic learning journey that continually bolsters their cognitive-emotional abilities.
The relationship between a child and a caregiver is the foundation for emotional security. Consistent, responsive caregiving builds a secure attachment, which helps children regulate their emotions, feel safe, and develop empathy and trust. This strong connection is a key protective factor against various adverse outcomes. As Jack P. Shonkoff from Harvard University famously said, “There is no development without relationships.” What does this mean? That in order to support your child in developing across various areas - academically, emotionally, relationally - they need to have a trusting and deep connection with a loving adult.
Parents and caregivers critically shape a child’s emotional strength, development and management, acting as key role models in expressing and navigating emotions. According to the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, the emotional skills children learn from adults significantly impact their future academic and career success. By mindfully acknowledging and validating a child’s feelings, caregivers teach that emotions are both natural and manageable, supporting children in healthily understanding and expressing their own emotions, thereby laying a foundation for resilient emotional health into adulthood.
So, WHY does Emmers exist? To change the mental health and loneliness statistics by building the emotional strength in children that is needed to thrive through the inevitable challenges of growing up, and to deepen the bond between children and a trusted adult in their life.
Guided Play between caregivers and children builds strong connections, which is a key protective factor against various adverse outcomes. The relationship between a child and a caregiver is the foundation for emotional security. Consistent, responsive caregiving builds a secure attachment, which helps children regulate their emotions, feel safe, and develop empathy and trust.
Parents and caregivers are role models for emotional behavior. Children learn to express, understand, and manage emotions by watching and imitating adults. How caregivers respond to their own emotions and those of others sets an example for children.
By recognizing, acknowledging, and validating a child's feelings, caregivers teach children that emotions are natural and manageable. This support helps children understand and express their emotions appropriately.
Unlocking the Healing Potential of Play: Play is a powerful tool, enabling children to express their emotions, make sense of their experiences, and navigate life's challenges with resilience.
Therapeutic Play: Harnessing the innate therapeutic value of play, our approach taps into children's natural inclination to explore, learn, and connect with the world around them.
Reaping Rewards: Play-based therapy offers an array of benefits, aiding children in dealing with trauma, grief, anxiety, behavioral concerns, and developmental challenges. Through play, children enhance their self-esteem, social aptitude, and emotional resilience.
At Emmers, we prioritize face-to-face games because we understand the profound impact of real-world interactions on children's development. Unlike screen-based games, face-to-face play fosters critical cognitive-emotional skills, such as empathy, social connection, and emotion regulation. It encourages meaningful bonding with caregivers and peers, promoting holistic growth and well-being in a way that screens simply can't replicate.
As we know, too much screen time can lead to:
At Emmers, innovation is always in progress. Our exciting lineup of games and books is currently in the development stage, fine-tuned to perfection. For exclusive updates and more details, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us at melanie@emmersco.com. Stay tuned for the magic!
We are eager to hear from you - please reach out to us through our "contact" page.
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