Accurate Self-Assessment

This animated educational video bridges the gap between early mathematics skills and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). narrated by a quirky red oval character, the video begins by challenging the notion that math is solely about numbers, introducing concepts like patterns, sorting, and spatial awareness. It then explores various valid methods for counting to five—using numerals, words, ten-frames (called "five squares"), tally marks, and mental counting—demonstrating to young learners that there is no single "right" way to approach a problem.

This engaging music video introduces students to the concept of a "Growth Mindset" through a catchy, folk-pop style song. The video combines live-action footage of a singer-songwriter with diverse clips of people overcoming challenges, studying, playing sports, and exploring nature. The central narrative focuses on the power of changing one's internal dialogue—specifically shifting from saying "I can't" to "I can't yet." It emphasizes that intelligence and ability are not fixed traits but attributes that can be developed through hard work, focus, and practice. Key themes explored include the importance of perseverance, the value of making mistakes as learning opportunities, and the specific language students can use to reframe negative self-talk. The lyrics break down abstract psychological concepts into actionable steps, such as taking goals one step at a time and viewing challenges as opportunities to "train your brain." The video explicitly contrasts fixed mindset statements (e.g., "I don't understand, I must be dumb") with growth mindset alternatives (e.g., "I'm still learning"). For educators, this video serves as an excellent anchor for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons centered on resilience and classroom culture. It provides a shared vocabulary ("The Power of Yet") that teachers can reference throughout the year when students face academic frustration. The song's bridge offers concrete examples of how to reframe thoughts, making it a practical tool for teaching cognitive reframing techniques suitable for elementary and middle school students.

This engaging animated video serves as a practical primer on understanding and improving self-esteem. Recognizing that many adolescent struggles—from peer pressure to assertiveness—stem from how we view ourselves, the video introduces a 6-week series dedicated to self-acceptance. It breaks down the abstract concept of self-esteem into manageble, actionable advice that connects mental wellness directly to physical health and happiness. The content focuses on three specific, manageable exercises to immediately lift one's mood and self-perception. First, it addresses the link between procrastination and negative self-talk, urging viewers to silence their inner critic by completing a nagging task. Second, it explores the scientifically proven benefits of gratitude. Finally, it presents the "crux" of self-esteem: learning to treat yourself with the same kindness and validation you would offer a best friend. For educators, this video is an excellent hook for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) units. It provides a non-threatening entry point for discussing mental health, negative self-talk, and resilience. The simple, whiteboard-animation style makes complex psychological concepts accessible for students from upper elementary through high school, offering them concrete tools they can use immediately inside and outside the classroom.

Hosted by a relatable teen peer named Maria, this video addresses the anxiety and uncertainty many students face when asked, "What are you going to do after high school?" Maria normalizes the fear of the unknown but emphasizes the necessity of creating a plan. She breaks down the overwhelming process of career selection into manageable steps, starting with self-reflection rather than job titles. The video explores various post-secondary pathways, including four-year colleges, trade schools, the military, and entering the workforce immediately. It provides a concrete framework for decision-making by encouraging students to list their interests, skills, desired lifestyle, and core beliefs. Maria models this behavior by sharing her own list and how it led her to pursue medicine. For educators, this resource serves as an excellent hook for career exploration units or advisory periods. It creates a safe space for students to admit they don't have all the answers while providing a practical "homework" assignment to get started. It specifically reinforces the role of school counselors as support systems and alleviates pressure by reminding students that career choices aren't permanent and can evolve over time.

This animated video features former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy explaining the biological and evolutionary roots of loneliness. He reframes loneliness not as a character flaw or a sign of being broken, but as a natural biological signal—like hunger or thirst—alerting us that we lack necessary social connection. The narrative explores how our ancestors relied on community for safety and survival, and how modern loneliness can create a negative feedback loop that damages self-esteem and makes reconnection difficult. The video delves into the insidious nature of chronic loneliness, illustrating how it often manifests in unexpected ways such as anger, irritability, or withdrawal rather than just sadness. Murthy argues that recognizing these alternative expressions of loneliness can help us respond to others with compassion instead of judgment. By understanding that loneliness is a common human experience, we can break the cycle of shame often associated with it. For educators, this resource provides a powerful tool for social-emotional learning (SEL). It offers a vocabulary for students to discuss feelings of isolation and provides actionable advice on how to help others: simply showing up and listening with full attention. The video's message emphasizes that listening validates another person's worth, making it an excellent starting point for lessons on empathy, active listening, community building, and mental health awareness.

This educational animation explores the nuanced concept of "high-functioning anxiety," distinguishing it from stereotypical representations of anxiety disorders. While not a clinical diagnosis, the video validates the experiences of individuals who appear successful and calm on the outside but struggle with intense internal turmoil, worry, and stress. It breaks down complex emotional patterns into relatable, observable behaviors that students may recognize in themselves or others. Through twelve distinct points, the video illustrates how anxiety can manifest as perfectionism, people-pleasing, overthinking, and an inability to relax. It covers social scenarios like cancelling plans or fearing new introductions, as well as internal habits like fixating on minor details, replaying old conversations, and fearing the future. The content helps bridge the gap between external appearances and internal mental health realities. For educators, this resource is a powerful tool for social-emotional learning (SEL). It provides a vocabulary for students to discuss mental health without stigma, encourages empathy for peers who may be struggling silently, and offers a checklist for self-reflection. It is particularly useful for high-achieving students who may mask their anxiety behind good grades and busy schedules, helping them understand that their internal struggles are valid and common.

This educational animation explores the psychological science behind emotional regulation, challenging the notion that we are at the mercy of our feelings. Using a relatable opening scenario about failing a test, the video contrasts two different reactions to the same setback to illustrate that while we cannot always control external events, we can control our responses to them. It introduces the "Process Model," a framework used by psychologists to identify specific points in time where we can intervene to change how we feel. The content breaks down the four stages of emotion formation: Situation, Attention, Appraisal, and Response. through a hypothetical scenario involves running into an ex-partner at a party, the narrator demonstrates practical strategies for each stage, such as situation modification, attentional deployment, and cognitive reappraisal. The video also critically examines "response modulation" (managing emotions after they occur), warning against unhealthy suppression while advocating for sustainable outlets like exercise or social support. For educators, this video serves as an excellent foundation for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and psychology curriculums. It provides students with a concrete vocabulary for their internal experiences and offers a toolkit for mental resilience. Crucially, the video concludes by debunking the "happiness trap," teaching students that negative emotions like sadness or anger are functional and necessary, and that the goal of emotional regulation is balance and appropriateness rather than constant positivity.

In this compelling TEDx talk, Ryan Clements shares a personal journey of transitioning from a stressed, unfulfilled lawyer to a passionate entrepreneur and writer. He challenges the traditional narrative of career success often taught in schools—focusing on outcomes like salary, prestige, and security—and instead argues for a values-based approach to finding work that matters. Through vivid storytelling about a pivotal moment of despair in a parking lot, Clements illustrates the difference between "push motivation" (driven by external rewards and fear) and "pull motivation" (driven by internal purpose and engagement). Key themes explored include the distinction between career outcomes versus consequences, the psychological concept of "flow," and the importance of aligning one's daily work with their unique personal values. Clements critiques the "do what you love" advice as sometimes impractical, suggesting instead that we find work that aligns with *who we are* and what we value, such as freedom, creativity, or problem-solving. He provides a framework for students to evaluate potential career paths based on intrinsic rewards rather than just external validation. For educators, this video serves as a powerful tool for career counseling, social-emotional learning, and life skills curriculum. It moves beyond standard aptitude tests to help students understand the internal drivers of satisfaction. It is particularly useful for high school and college students facing pressure to choose a path, offering them permission to prioritize mental well-being and personal alignment over societal expectations of success. The talk provides actionable questions students can ask themselves to gauge whether a potential career path will lead to genuine fulfillment.

This animated video explores the concept of personal independence, breaking it down into five key behavioral indicators. It frames independence not just as living alone or paying bills, but as a holistic developmental milestone involving emotional maturity, financial responsibility, and resilience. The video uses the signature 'Psych2Go' character to guide viewers through relatable scenarios like fixing a leaky sink, grocery shopping, and dealing with criticism in the workplace. The content delves into themes of self-sufficiency, problem-solving, financial literacy, and emotional autonomy. It distinguishes between healthy independence (solving problems yourself but asking for help when needed) and isolation. It also emphasizes the importance of resilience when help isn't available and the maturity required to accept constructive criticism without letting others' opinions dictate one's self-worth. For educators, this video serves as an excellent resource for social-emotional learning (SEL) and life skills curriculums. It provides a structured way to discuss the transition from childhood dependence to adult autonomy. It can spark meaningful classroom discussions about what it really means to "grow up," how to handle failure, and the balance between self-reliance and community support.

This animated video explores the emotional impact of cyberbullying and provides young students with concrete strategies to handle negative online interactions. Through the story of two friends, 'Guts' (a yellow character) and a purple friend, the video demonstrates how mean comments in online games and social media can hurt just as much as face-to-face insults. It challenges the old adage "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" by showing the reality of digital communication. The content focuses on three key themes: identifying cyberbullying behaviors (like trash-talking and mean comments), understanding the emotional consequences of online words, and learning the "STOP" acronym as a safety tool. The narrative validates a child's feelings of hurt when targeted online and emphasizes that they are not alone in these experiences. For educators, this video is a vital resource for Digital Citizenship curriculums. It provides a memorable mnemonic device (STOP: Step away, Tell a trusted adult, Okay sites first, Pause and think online) that serves as a practical classroom management tool. The video naturally sparks discussions about empathy, the "real person" behind every avatar, and the difference between friendly competition and bullying.

This educational video provides a comprehensive overview of anxiety disorders, distinguishing between normal anxiety and clinical conditions. It specifically breaks down Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, and Phobias, clarifying the specific diagnostic criteria for each. The host, Hank Green, explains how these disorders are characterized by distressful, persistent anxiety and often dysfunctional behaviors used to reduce that anxiety. The video explores the etiology of these disorders through two main lenses: the Learning Perspective (conditioning, observational learning, and cognition) and the Biological Perspective (genetics, natural selection, and brain chemistry). Key concepts such as stimulus generalization, reinforcement, and the evolutionary basis for fears are discussed to help viewers understand why these disorders persist. For educators, this resource is invaluable for psychology and health curriculums. It actively works to de-stigmatize mental illness by correcting common misuse of terms like "OCD" and "bipolar" in casual conversation. The clear definitions, relatable examples, and engaging animations make complex psychological concepts accessible for high school and early college students, serving as an excellent springboard for discussions on mental health awareness and neurobiology.

This animated video by The School of Life explores the importance of identifying and processing suppressed emotions to maintain psychological well-being. It argues that modern life often causes us to ignore our true feelings because they are too shocking, sad, or inconvenient to address in the moment. The video explains how "unfelt feelings" accumulate and manifest as anxiety, depression, or physical tension. Key themes include emotional intelligence, self-reflection, the mind-body connection, and the practice of introspection. The narrator suggests a specific daily technique involving quiet solitude and body scanning to "decode" these hidden emotions. It emphasizes that acknowledging difficult feelings like anger, grief, or resentment is necessary to transform them into manageable states and achieve peace of mind. For educators and students, this resource is a valuable tool for social-emotional learning (SEL). It provides a practical framework for understanding why we feel overwhelmed or anxious without an obvious cause. The video can be used to teach self-regulation strategies, mindfulness, and the vocabulary of emotions, helping students move from reactive states to responsive, self-aware behaviors.