Connect & Grow is a transformative 12-week weekend programme designed to support children's emotional development, identity, and sense of belonging through structured, engaging, and culturally sensitive group sessions.

Created by Chartered Psychologist Dr Nistor Becia in partnership with community educators Mădălina Cojocariu and Diana Oanea Cram, this handbook blends psychological theory with real-world practice. It provides step-by-step guidance, printable templates, and visual aids to help facilitators deliver fun, meaningful activities that build resilience, emotional literacy, empathy, and self-esteem in children aged 5 to 14.

Whether you're an educator, community worker, mental health professional, or parent group leader, Connect & Grow offers a ready-to-use, research-informed toolkit for creating safe, joyful, and developmentally appropriate group experiences.

Ideal for:

Community clubs and weekend programmes

Schools, after-school groups, and pastoral care

Families seeking culturally affirming emotional learning

Children from migrant, multilingual, or neurodivergent backgrounds

What's Inside:

Weekly themes with clear learning goals (e.g., identity, friendship, regulation, boundaries)

Engaging session scripts, visual symbols, and printable resources

A balance of structure and play: storytelling, crafts, games, music, and mindfulness

Grounding in evidence-based frameworks including SEL, trauma-informed care, and Positive Youth Development

Rooted in both clinical expertise and community wisdom, Connect & Grow is more than a programme - it's an invitation to build emotional connection and celebrate every child's strengths.