Transform Education Through Social-Emotional Learning & Character Development
Evidence-based conversation frameworks that develop the whole student—academically, emotionally, socially, and ethically. Build classroom culture, teach life skills, and create learning communities where every student thrives.
Academic success depends on more than content knowledge. Students thrive when they develop emotional intelligence, character strengths, critical thinking, and resilience. FlourishTalk provides research-backed tools that make social-emotional learning and character education practical, engaging, and effective.
Built on CASEL's Social-Emotional Learning framework and validated positive psychology research. Every question serves educational objectives.
No prep work required. Pull questions and go. Perfect for morning meetings, advisory periods, transitions, or dedicated SEL time.
Create psychologically safe spaces where students feel seen, heard, and valued. Strong relationships are the foundation of learning.
Students practice articulation, active listening, perspective-taking, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution through structured conversation.
SEL correlates with improved grades, attendance, behavior, and graduation rates. Social-emotional skills predict life success.
Supports state SEL standards, character education mandates, and CASEL competencies. Documentation-ready for administrators.
Start the day with connection. Use questions from Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) (5 core competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making) or Positive Emotions (from Personal Wellbeing). Students share in circle format. Builds community and sets positive tone for learning.
Use 10-15 minutes for meaningful check-in. Choose questions from Character Strengths (24 universal strengths), Emotional Wellbeing (12 topics including Stress, Anxiety, Self-Compassion, Boundaries), or Academic Success (24 evidence-based predictors). Helps students process challenges and build resilience.
Address conflicts or build community using questions from Social Awareness or Relationship Skills (from SEL), Understanding Differences (8 topics), or Listening with Understanding and Empathy (from Habits of Mind). Creates space for authentic dialogue and healing.
Deepen analysis using questions from Character Education (19 topics on intellectual, civic, moral virtues), Character Strengths, or relevant Critical Conversations categories. Students connect texts to their own lives and develop critical thinking.
University professors use questions from Critical Conversations (multiple categories on complex topics), Understanding News & Current Events (6 topics on media literacy and civic engagement), or Inner Development Goals (5 dimensions) to facilitate sophisticated dialogue.
Teams use questions from Teamwork or Leadership (from Character Strengths), Habits of Mind (16 intelligent behaviors), or Thinking Well (19 topics on metacognition) to collaborate effectively and solve problems creatively.
These categories directly support learning objectives and student development:
5 CASEL competencies with 89-103 questions each: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making
24 VIA strengths with 44-51 questions each across wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, transcendence—teach universal virtues
19 topics (63-75 questions each): Intellectual Virtues, Civic Virtues, Moral Virtues, Performance Strengths, Practical Wisdom for ethical living
24 evidence-based predictors (48-50 questions each): Learning Strategies, Grit, Growth Mindset, Self-Efficacy, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence
16 intelligent behaviors (48-50 questions each): Persisting, Thinking Flexibly, Listening with Empathy, Metacognition, Questioning, Creating
9 topics (70-97 questions each) on cognitive biases: Better Decisions, Problem-Solving, Learning & Information, Planning & Action
19 topics (48-50 questions each) on thinking strategies: Planning, Decision-Making, Problem-Solving, Organization, Metacognitive Thinking
8 topics (59-73 questions each): Personality, Cultural, Generational, Neurodiversity, Values, Communication Styles, Building Bridges
Multiple categories (50-194 questions each) on complex societal issues: Social Justice, Technology, Environment, Health, Global Issues
6 topics (69-84 questions each): Media Literacy, Critical Thinking, Multiple Perspectives, Constructive Dialogue, Civic Engagement
6 topics (79 questions each): Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, Grit, Growth Mindset for psychological capital
12 topics (65-79 questions each): Daily Check-In, Stress, Anxiety, Resilience, Self-Compassion, Boundaries, Hope & Possibility
Begin with 5-minute check-ins using Personal Wellbeing or SEL. Build comfort before going deeper.
Create safe space: respect, confidentiality, right to pass. Model vulnerability by sharing first.
Circle time, pair-share, small groups, journal responses. Mix it up to maintain engagement.
Use relevant questions during lessons. History + Character Education. Science + Critical Thinking.
Solution: Start with low-risk topics (favorite foods, hobbies). Use pair-share before full group. Give think time. Model sharing first. Trust builds gradually—stick with it.
Solution: Even 5 minutes matters. Use transitions between activities. Replace homework warm-ups. The relationship-building actually saves time by reducing behavior issues.
Solution: Acknowledge the awkwardness! "This might feel weird at first, and that's okay." Normalize discomfort. It gets easier quickly.
Solution: SEL isn't separate from academics—it enables learning. Students who feel safe, connected, and regulated learn better. This IS content.
Solution: Have reporting protocols established beforehand. Know your school counselor/social worker. Never promise confidentiality you can't keep. Follow mandated reporter duties.
Solution: Take pressure off. Allow journaling instead of sharing. Private responses okay. Some students need writing time to process before speaking.
Browse all 37 categories and 23,000+ questions online. Perfect for projecting questions in classrooms, allowing students to explore independently, and providing unlimited variety for different subjects and grade levels.
Get customized card decks aligned to your curriculum, grade level, and learning objectives. Ideal for circle time, advisory groups, counselor offices, and creating screen-free spaces for meaningful dialogue. Many educators find the tangible cards increase student engagement and make facilitation easier.
Start tomorrow morning. Choose one category aligned to your goals. Create a circle. Ask one question. Listen.
Watch what happens when students feel truly seen and heard.
Research consistently shows that social-emotional learning programs lead to:
FlourishTalk provides the practical tools to implement what research proves works.
FlourishTalk's questions for schools draw from:
Every category aligns with educational standards, research evidence, and best practices in teaching the whole child.