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The skills every child deserves to learn: 250 lessons are now free

Apr 20, 2026
Connect

I know that sounds incredible, but it's true. I'm so thrilled to finally share this with you.

The Connect Curriculum is now completely free.

Why?

Because the incredible team in the UK who turned DNA-V into a school curriculum, and then tested it with solid research, believe that psychological flexibility ought to be open and accessible to all kids. The group want to change the world and invest in the future of our children, and now it is urgent!

What is it?

Connect is a DNA-V-based wellbeing curriculum designed for children aged 4 to 11 years.

It gives teachers and professionals over 250 lessons in the psychological skills that matter most: how to use and harness their sensory awareness, how to explore and grow through experience, how to use their thoughts and cognitive powers wisely, and how to live in line with what matters most to them and people around them.

In one of the largest RCTs conducted on psychological flexibility in children, we saw that Connect works. Just 18 lessons of Connect can significantly improve children's well-being. Linked below are peer-reviewed, large-scale randomised control trials*. 

It works.

Connect helps children learn to be flexible, resilient, and psychologically strong from the very beginning of school.

 

What I love about this is that we have a program that meets children where they are developmentally. DNA-V makes it possible to bring ACT-based flexibility skills to young people in ways that are genuinely engaging and age-appropriate. Easy lessons for teachers and staff - all laid out and ready to roll. No long abstract exercises, just real, meaningful learning woven into everyday classroom life.

Whether you're a teacher, school counsellor, or clinician working with children, I'd love for you to explore what Connect has to offer.

Pass it on to anyone you think could use it.

Visit the Connect Curriculum website to find out more and get started!

 Learn About Connect

 

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To access past versions of my Insights Newsletter, click here.

 

With much kindness,

Louise

 

👉*Nisar, A., Watkins, R. C., Gillard, D., Grindle, C. F., Thompson, P. A., Pegram, J., & Hastings, R. P. (2025). Adding implementation support to a universal Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based school well-being intervention: A cluster-randomised controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 36(100886), 100886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100886

 

👉Owen, K. L., Griffith, G. M., Gillard, D., & Grindle, C. F. (2023). “Children will leave school with these life skills, which I think is amazing”: an interview study exploring teachers’ experiences of implementing a health and wellbeing curriculum. Pastoral Care in Education, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2023.2244506

 

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Welcome to a space where psychology meets compassion and growth. Each month, I'll share practical wisdom drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help you navigate life's challenges with greater psychological flexibility and purpose. What you'll receive: Evidence-based strategies to build resilience and foster wellbeing Thoughtful reflections on mindfulness and present-moment awareness Practical tools to help you connect with your values and create a rich, meaningful life Updates on workshops, speaking events, and new resources Whether you're a mental health professional, a parent supporting a young person, or someone on your own journey of growth, this newsletter offers a gentle guide to living fully with both the joy and the struggle that life brings. Together, we'll explore how to create space for difficult thoughts and feelings while moving toward what matters most to you.
© 2026 Dr Louise Hayes

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