The School of Life for Kids

The School of Life for Kids is a resource for helping children to understand themselves and the world around them. We specialise in developing emotional literacy, giving young people the tools for comprehending and communicating their thoughts and feelings (and those of other people). Through our books, games and learning tools, we seek to find fun, imaginative ways to teach the best ideas from the worlds of philosophy, psychology, history, art, science and nature.

 

Beautifully written and illustrated, our books are used in classrooms and homes around the world as part of early years education.

Shop the full range

About Our Tools for Kids

The range of teaching methods we offer — including poetry, activity books, guided journals and exercises — are designed to accommodate every child, no matter how they prefer to learn. We never dumb down or over-simplify; rather, trusting in the intelligence and curiosity of our young readers, we aim to make our wisdom as engaging and relatable as possible. Beautifully written and illustrated, our books are informed by experts in child psychology, and are used in classrooms and homes around the world as part of early years education.

Help with voicing thoughts and feelings

Emotions can be challenging (for children and adults alike), but the more we understand them, the better we can process and manage them.

Browse all kids books

All

An Emotional Menagerie

A Glossary of Feelings from A-Z. Children experience all sorts of emotions, sometimes going through several very different ones before breakfast. Yet they can struggle to put these…
View product

All

The Book of Me

An engaging guided journal for developing children’s understanding of themselves and their emotions. Children love to explore, born with a boundless desire to understand the world around them.…
View product
Browse all kids books

Inspiring creativity and wonder

Practicing creative thinking can help us connect more with ourselves and what we truly enjoy.

Browse all kids books

All

Nature and Me

Children are used to hearing about how important it is to protect nature, but they may not fully understand how the natural world can positively impact their emotional…
View product

All

Philosophical Questions for Curious Minds

Puzzles and Ideas To Help Young Minds Grow Children are born philosophers – but in order to fully bring out the best of their thinking, it helps to…
View product
Browse all kids books

Help with understanding the world

The world can be a scary place, but learning about the world can help us to understand it.

Browse all kids books

All

Happy, Healthy Minds

A Children’s Guide to Emotional Wellbeing Our minds are beautifully complicated and brilliant machines. For much of our lives, these machines run efficiently with minimal maintenance. However, just…
View product

All

Big Ideas From History

An engaging, alternative history of the world for children, which helps to make sense of today. The present can loom very large in a child’s mind: all the…
View product
Browse all kids books

Books for Parents 

All

What They Forgot To Teach You At School

A collection of the essential emotional lessons we need in order to thrive We probably went to school for what felt like a very long time. We probably…
View product

All

Parents & Teenagers

52 conversation cards to help break the log-jam of frustration and silence between parents and their teenager. Not many teenagers want to talk to their parents that much.…
View product

Free exercises for Kids 

Creative Writing Activity Pack

Books can be so powerful, helping us through tricky times, offering us wisdom and showing us that there are people like us. Inspired by our book Big Ideas from Literature, this creative writing pack is designed to engage children and ask them to reflect on the ideas posed by the book, developing their writing skills and fostering empathy and resilience.
Download now

Indoor Activities

Children need exercise, in mind as well as body: especially when they’re stuck indoors. These 10 exercises are designed to help keep the young minds in your household occupied and stimulate their natural curiosity.
Download now

Philosophical Ideas Learning Pack (8+)

Philosophy, meaning ‘love of wisdom’, is a vital discipline for understanding the world. Inspired by our book Big Ideas for Curious Minds, this learning pack is designed to engage children with some important philosophical ideas, developing their critical thinking skills and encouraging their growth as independent thinkers.
Download now

Emotional Literacy Learning Pack (6+)

Children can often struggle to put their feelings into words. Inspired by our book An Emotional Menagerie, this learning pack is designed to increase emotional literacy, helping children to recognise and manage their emotions and understand the role they play in human behaviour.
Download now

Art As Therapy Learning Pack (8+)

Art isn’t just nice to look at; it’s a form of therapy. Inspired by our book What Adults Don’t Understand About Art, this activity sheet is designed to introduce children to the therapeutic value of art and how it can help us become more imaginative, creative and empathetic.
Download now

Relationships Skills Learning Pack (8+)

So much of children’s happiness and success is dependent on how well they relate to others. Inspired by our book Happy, Healthy Minds, this learning pack is designed to help children think about their relationships, both positive and negative, and develop their empathetic and interpersonal skills.
Download now

Big Ideas From History: Notes for Educators

These discussion points and activities follow the chapters of the book. They can be used alongside a reading in the classroom or at home. The material links to various parts of a broad curriculum. The segments can be used in sequence or as stand-alone projects.
Download Now

Teaching Resources for Self-Discovery

These exercises use a child’s love of discovery and exploration as a springboard to take them on an adventure – not of mountains or wild wildernesses but of their mind. In this journal of self-discovery, through a series of creative prompts, children are encouraged to explore their mind, moods, emotions, imagination, conscience and much more.
Download Now

What Are You Feeling? Activity Pack

It can be hard for children to identify and articulate how they are really feeling. Based on our book What Are You Feeling?, this resources pack is designed to provide fun and engaging activities for school and at home that encourage children to develop emotional literacy skills, helping children to recognise and identify their feelings in ways that are healthy and easy to understand.
Download Now