(Includes instructions and aids in Spanish. For adults and children ages 4 and above.)

Play it at home or in the classroom

Make a face that shows frustration or happiness. Tell about a time you felt calm or scared. What color would your heart be if it were a color? Those are just a few of the challenges players face in HeartMath's new Wild Ride to the Heart® game, where the first player to reach the heart at the center of the board, wins. But win or lose, the whole family will soon learn the true fun in playing Wild Ride — again and again — is because it makes you feel good in your heart.

Emotional Awareness and Balance

Wild Ride is especially designed to teach children about recognizing, expressing and balancing their emotions. The game incorporates HeartMath's nearly two decades of scientific research and field studies into the physiology of emotions and the intelligence of the heart. For those who are lucky, the journey to the finish will be smooth, but chances are they'll have a Wild Ride as they make funny faces, tell stories and have lots of fun. It's good for the heart.

Contents:

• Colorful, illustrated game board
• Markers for moving around the board
• Surprise Cards that challenge players to perform various tasks, including:
  • Make faces of different emotions.
  • Describe what makes you feel certain emotions: frustration, disappointment, courage.
  • Practice a simple, but powerful HeartMath emotion-regulation tool called Go to the Heart®.
• Emotions Definition Cards that explain the meaning of the most common emotions: love, sadness, happiness, anger, calm, and fear.
• Spinner
• Two dice: Instead of the spinner, one die may be rolled for moves (The other die is a spare.)

Important Features:

• Can be played at home or in the classroom.
• Incorporates scientific research of emotions and heart intelligence.
• Helps children begin to identify and understand their emotions.
• Helps children in their relationships with family and friends at home, school and play.
• Can aide in bringing family and friends closer.

For Classroom Use

Give young children a strong foundation for future learning
What young children learn before their formal education profoundly affects their performance in school and the rest of their lives. Research shows acquiring social and emotional skills early are essential for success in today's classrooms. Early HeartSmarts is fun and engaging and was scientifically developed for ages 3-6 so they could learn fun, simple, but powerful skills that build a strong foundation for their future years of learning. Children learn about working together in small groups, problem-solving, creativity, emotion self-regulation and the importance of the heart as Early HeartSmarts eases the transition from the home to the classroom environment. Cutting-edge science and research at the Institute of HeartMath and by other entities over the past 20 years are incorporated in this program, which precedes the HeartSmarts program released last year for grades 3-5. IHM is an international leader in stress reduction and emotion management techniques and technology and has established that the heart plays a central role in optimizing the body's cognitive, sensory, hormonal and information processing systems.

Early HeartSmarts Program Materials:

• Teacher's Guide:
  The instructor manual provides all the essential information to successfully implement the program. Each of the eleven lessons is organized with overview, objectives, materials, teaching tips, activities and suggested dialogue. Support pieces at the end of each lesson include the parent connection, additional ideas and activities and recommended books. Song Lyrics, Parent Letters, and Follow Up practices are featured in the last section of this guide for easy access and additional support.
• Introductory DVD:
  The short, narrated PowerPoint presentation introduces core concepts, skills, and materials.
• Music CD:
  Besides a heartbeat sound, there are six engaging songs and an instrumental version of "A Little Wheel Turning in My Heart."
• Anatomical Model Heart:
  The squishy, anatomically correct heart serves as a physical model for conversation about the functions of the heart.
• Bear Heart Puppet:
  The puppet plays a crucial role as facilitator and teacher in the program. Use a normal, pleasant voice when speaking through the puppet in lessons. This puppet is surface-washable only. Use lukewarm water and sponge with Woolite® or other mild laundry detergent to wet and lather fur. Rinse surface with sponge. Dry by gently squeezing between towels. After it's dry, brush with wire dog brush to fluff the fur.
• Stethoscope:
  This instructional device is to be used only under adult supervision and guidance. Children should not be left alone to play with this device. Instructions and cautions are printed on the box.
• Heart Ball:
  Heart Ball uses the fun of play (a gentle game of catch) to help children express positive emotions. Surface washable.
• Heart Pillow:
  This fluffy red pillow with the blue hand invites children to use it when feeling upset or out of sorts. They can either hold it to their chest or sit on it while practicing one of the self-regulation techniques. Surface washable.
• The Kissing Hand (Children's Book):
  This classic story that wonderfully illustrates the power of positive emotions in relationships.
• Photo Emotion Cards:
  10 cards that help children better identify five different emotional states. The cards are spaced out over three lessons.
• Emotion Spinner:
  Children's knowledge and understanding of different emotions through several fun activities is expanded.
• Problem-Solving Cards:
  Six cards showing typical age-related situations are presented to children over three lessons to help activate problem-solving choices and skills.
• Problem-Solving Poster:
  This graphic illustrates three steps that can help guide students in the problem-solving processes.
• Heart Stickers:
  Two sheets of heart stickers for Kissing Hand activities.
  
  

Why Heart-Based Education?
HeartMath research has identified a measurable physiological state that underlies optimal learning and performance. In this state, our emotions are calm, and our brain, nervous system and other bodily systems function with increased synchronization and harmony. In simple terms, we're highly in sync — physically, mentally and emotionally. This in turn, facilitates the higher cognitive processes critical for focusing attention, reasoning and creativity — all essential for effective learning, academic achievement and social success.

Research Says Students who experience Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for School Performance:

• Improve math, literacy and social studies skills
• Have higher achievement test scores and grades and no decreases in standardized test scores
• Improve learning-to-learn skills
• Develop better problem-solving and planning ability
• Use higher-level reasoning strategies
• Show improvement in reading comprehension

Research Says Students who experience Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for School Behaviors:

• Participate more in class
• Demonstrate more pro-social behavior
• Have fewer absences and improved attendance
• Show reductions in aggression and disruptions
• Are on track to graduate and less likely to drop out
• Are more likely to work out their own way of learning

Research Says Students who experience Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for School Attitudes:

• Have a stronger sense of community
• Exhibit higher academic motivation and educational aspirations
• Show better understanding of consequences of behavior
• Have greater ability to cope with school stressors
• Show more positive attitudes toward school and learning
  

Also try the e-book Teaching Children to Love: 80 Games & Fun Activities for Raising Balanced Children in Unbalanced Times, by Doc Childre.
Teaching Children to Love perfectly complements the Early HeartSmarts® program, presenting new perspectives and building blocks for new levels of intelligence, emotional management, deeper communication and self-security. It helps children feel positive and hopeful. This e-Book includes an explanation of the physiology of heart intelligence, instructions for three of HeartMath's core techniques and easy-to-use, entertaining games and activities. Each activity has a learning purpose, step-by-step instructions and variations. This is for parents, childcare providers, counselors and everyone who is responsible for loving, educating and caring for children. All games are kid tested and kid approved.

HeartSmarts Grades 3-5 Teacher's Kit -
For classroom use

New social and emotional supplemental learning program
There's enormous pressure to do well in school and fit in, and numerous relationship challenges with family, friends and teachers. HeartSmarts teaches students to manage stress, improve learning and strengthen relationships. The program is based on the Institute of HeartMath's innovative research into the physiology of learning, teaching students a core set of tools and strategies that become part of the meaningful rituals and routines in their classrooms, intervention groups or after-school programs. HeartSmarts is organized into five modules. Short lessons within each module use experiential learning for problem-solving and collaborative discussion on topics related to school performance. Through minimal practice and reflection, students develop "habits of the heart" that improve learner readiness, motivation, behavior management and classroom climate. Students identify their emotions, recognize situations that trigger stressful emotions, learn skills to improve communication and are taught a series of tools on how to shift to the heart. Students love this program because it enables them to talk about what is most important to them and offers concrete ways to help them feel and perform better.

Program Components Includes:

• The Leader's Guide — offering a bird's-eye view of the program: This booklet includes a summary of the modules, rubric for skill development and the relevant research. Each module contains essential understandings, student objectives, core learning experiences, "apply it" activities and assessment strategies for checking student progress.
• Slides — presenting the "big ideas" in visual form: A series of 20 slides that allow the educator to present key ideas either through a PowerPoint slide show or using a presentation flip book for table-top display with smaller groups of students.
• Module Booklets — developing knowledge and skills: Each module has a series of 4 or 5 core learning experiences with follow-up activities for further practice. Handouts and task cards for follow-up practice are found in the back of each booklet, along with recommended reading and links to Web sites of programs that complement this one in principle and practice.
• Classroom posters — keeping core concepts visible: Three 8" x 24" posters are included: The Inner Weather Report, Get in Sync and Shifting Negative Self Talk.
• emWave® PC technology (optional) — providing instant feedback on the physiology of learning: The emWave PC technology helps students and adults better deal with stress and improve performance. Students are fascinated when they see on a computer screen how emotions instantly change their heart rhythms. Fun, interactive software games are included in the program to help them strengthen skills through regular practice. This is an optional component not included in the base price of the kit but highly recommended as a medium that fully engages students and accelerates program mastery.
• Assessment tools — for reflecting along the way: Each module has assessment activities to help students show what they know.
• CD Rom: The program includes an introductory video for teachers, a PowerPoint slide show that presents key ideas to students for each module and a short movie for lesson 2.2.

Program Content:
Exploring Emotions

• What emotions do you experience in a day?
• Where are you on the Emotional Window?
• How are feelings like the weather?
• Calming yourself when upset: The HeartShift tool
• How do clear roles help us work well together?

Getting in Sync for Learning

• How do emotions affect your body?
• How do emotions get in the way of learning?
• Shifting negative self-talk
• HeartSmarts Tool: Get in Sync
• Using HeartSmarts in math

Listening with Your Heart

• What does listening look like, sound like and feel like?
• Role play
• HeartSmarts tool: Heart Listening
• Changing a stressful situation
• emWave PC technology demonstration (optional)

Becoming Your Best Self

• What does it mean to be your best self? Discovering my strengths and exploring my future.
• Improving my personal best: Creating an action plan
• Who and what do you appreciate?
• Building more care: HeartSmarts tool — Shift & Shine
• What makes a good friend? How can I be a good friend?

Sharing what you know

• How can you make better choices?
• Discussing everyday dilemmas
• How will you share what you know?
• Choosing a performance task
• How have you grown your HeartSmarts?
• Student presentations

Why Heart-Based Education? HeartMath research has identified a measurable physiological state that underlies optimal learning and performance. In this state, our emotions are calm, and our brain, nervous system and other bodily systems function with increased synchronization and harmony. In simple terms, we're highly in sync — physically, mentally and emotionally. This in turn, facilitates the higher cognitive processes critical for focusing attention, reasoning and creativity — all essential for effective learning, academic achievement and social success.

Research Says Students who experience Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for School Performance:

• Improve math, literacy and social studies skills
• Have higher achievement test scores and grades and no decreases in standardized test scores
• Improve learning-to-learn skills
• Develop better problem-solving and planning ability
• Use higher-level reasoning strategies
• Show improvement in reading comprehension

Research Says Students who experience Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for School Behaviors:

• Participate more in class
• Demonstrate more pro-social behavior
• Have fewer absences and improved attendance
• Show reductions in aggression and disruptions
• Are on track to graduate and less likely to drop out
• Are more likely to work out their own way of learning

Research Says Students who experience Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for School Attitudes:

• Have a stronger sense of community
• Exhibit higher academic motivation and educational aspirations
• Show better understanding of consequences of behavior
• Have greater ability to cope with school stressors
• Show more positive attitudes toward school and learning

What teachers, students and others are saying about HeartSmarts Program:

• Evelyn, a fifth-grade teacher: "As I began to make it part of our daily routine to get in sync for learning, it made both teaching and learning easier. The children are quite excited about their ability to feel better quickly when they get upset and calm themselves in stressful situations, instead of just reacting. I also noticed that my students are kinder to each other."
• Eddie, a fifth-grade student: "I learned that I don't have to get mad all the time and have my family upset with me."
• Sandeep, a fifth-grade student: "When you listen with your heart, you can tell what the other person is feeling and what is important to them."
• Rami Meuth, district director of curriculum: "What impressed me as I watched the students was the quality of questions they were asking as they worked together on a math puzzle. They looked at the problem from different perspectives and came up with an answer but it was wrong. They revised their thinking and found a better solution. These are the skills they'll need for work in the 21^st century."

School quantity discounts for Teacher's Kit

Call toll free in U.S. 1-866-221-6339 or e-mail info@heartmath.org

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With TestEdge, students gain greater understanding of how their emotions and attitudes affect their academic work and relationships. Using the TestEdge tools, they learn to neutralize the impact of negative emotions such as test anxiety or turmoil surrounding relationship issues and then build effective replacement attitudes. For many this results in improved academic performance, and better relationships.

The program includes:

• 15 video segments with actors and flash animations.
• 15 interactive sessions help internalize the TestEdge tools.
• 12 optional lessons in pdf format that can printed or viewed for a deeper understanding.

Try it risk free for 30 days. We guarantee your complete satisfaction with the TestEdge Interactive Learning Program or we'll give you your money back, no questions asked.

System Requirements

• Win 98 - Vista, Mac OS9, Mac OSX (Does not work with MAC 10.6 or later)
• Processor; 1GHz +, Disk Space; 600MB Memory
• 128MB +, Audio 16 bit mono +, Video; XVGA +, CD-ROM

Grades 6-8

TestEdge is a powerful interactive learning program that helps students learn and perform at their very best. The TestEdge Interactive Learning Program is loaded with benefits that transform the test taking experience. Research based, this engaging multimedia course teaches proven tools and strategies demonstrated to overcome test and performance anxiety, discouragement and stress, while boosting focus, clarity and problem solving ability. You will learn to get yourself in sync for your best academic performance.

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TestEdge Interactive CD-ROM

System Requirements

• Win 98 - Vista, Mac OS9, Mac OSX (Does not work with MAC 10.6 or later)
• Processor; 1GHz +, Disk Space; 600MB Memory
• 128MB +, Audio 16 bit mono +, Video; XVGA +, CD-ROM

Item #5305 Price: $49.95