SubjectBy age GradePre-K–12 Page04 / 15

Four stages. Not one-size-fits-all.

A 5-year-old and a 15-year-old are working on completely different things. Here's what each stage is about, and where to find the right games, videos, articles, and resources for it.

Stages are a guide, not a rule. Kids move through them at their own pace.

Pre-K

"Curious Explorer"

Big feelings, small words. At this age it's about giving feelings a name, building routines, and doing a little more on their own. Playful and visual, never a lecture.

  • Feelings
  • Emotional vocabulary
  • Sensory play
  • Routines
  • Early independence

Grades 6-8

"Growing Thinker"

Everything gets more complicated at once: friendships, identity, the first phone and everything that comes with it. This is where nuance starts.

  • Identity
  • Friendships
  • Boundaries
  • Social problem-solving
  • Digital safety
  • Social-media pressure
  • Emotional nuance
  • Confidence

Grades 9-12

"Independent Pathfinder"

Almost adults, so treat them like it. Real decisions, real relationships, real money, and a future that's getting close fast.

  • Decision-making
  • Relationships
  • Emotional regulation
  • Critical thinking
  • Money
  • Future planning
  • Independence
  • Ethical choices