AUTHOR'S INSPIRATION
Meet Shanna Truffini
Since You Are a Gardener® was published in December of 2017, Shanna Truffini has developed several new social and emotional learning (SEL) programs to help empower children with tools to help their 'gardens' grow healthy and strong.
All Truffini's programs are rooted in the power of the words flowers, weeds and seeds. This universal language helps create a new narrative for children to identify, communicate and manage their emotions through an empowering process.
The #PullYourWeeds® Blog
The evolution of the #PullYourWeeds® Blog started in February of 2019. Truffini's intention was to create a virtual destination for families and educators to learn more about the values of adapting positive Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills and tools for children at home and in the classroom. The blog features 2-3 new posts a week all rooted in empowering children with tools to hep their gardens grow healthy and strong.
Featuring: crafts, healthy recipes, inspirational stories, free resources, mindfulness activities, videos and more!
Hello Gardeners® & Camp Hello Gardeners® Video Series
One of the first programs to sprout was Truffini's video series, Hello Gardeners®. This idea came from Shanna Truffini's daughter, Anna when she was only 8 years old. She had the idea to create a show where every episode Anna and her brother Aidan would help other children 'pull their weeds and turn them into seeds', plus feature a fun craft or mindfulness activity. They filmed their fist episode in their grandparent's greenhouse in the fall of 2018 along with the talents of their videographer Kelsey DeLaney, who is also the illustrator of You Are a Gardener®. Since then they have filmed over 20 episodes and also created a spin off series this summer called Camp Hello Gardeners®
You Are a Gardener® SEL Curriculum for Educators
As Shanna Truffini's family embraced the vocabulary and tools of the You Are a Gardener® mindset, her young children (then 6 and 8) asked Truffini to tell their teachers about 'flowers, weeds and seeds". This is what planted the idea to create a You Are a Gardener® social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum for educators. Truffini consulted with her 'panel of experts' including a cognitive behavioral therapist, 4th grade teacher, student counselor, mindfulness instructor, wellness coach and a few others to help her create a powerful program that establishes a bright and positive classroom environment. Truffini will 'virtually" present her curriculum for teachers via zoom (prior to 3/2020 she was attending schools on in-service days). The curriculum provides access to activities, exercises and materials for educators to use all year round.
#PullYourWeeds® SEL Workshops for Children Ages 4-11
Connecting with children and spreading the You Are a Gardener® seeds is something that Truffini is extremely passionate about. This particular program includes a reading and discussion of her You Are a Gardener™️ children’s book, an interactive SEL workshop and fun (downloadable) prizes for students. The workshop runs about 30-35 minutes and Shanna can virtually join a classroom or organization.
Click here for a quick video highlighting this program for kids.
Virtual #PullYourWeeds® Assembly For Grades K-5
Shanna Truffini, author of You Are a Gardener® along with her Illustrator Kelsey Jordan, are now performing virtual assemblies for the #PullYourWeeds® Program in elementary schools nationwide. This live virtual, 45 minute program is rooted in social emotional learning (SEL) skills, growth mindset tools, self-empowerment, confidence building, conflict resolution skills and mindfulness activities.
