NOTE FROM TED: While some viewers may find this helpful as a complementary approach, please do not look to this talk for health advice. This talk only represents the speaker’s personal approach to and understanding of mindfulness and healing. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfClare’s mission is to build strong children rather than repair broken adults. In her TEDx talk, Clare shares her personal journey and explores the transformative power of teaching mindfulness and emotional intelligence to children. She invites us to rethink how we approach emotional education—and to start equipping the next generation with the tools they need to thrive. Clare Frattarola is the founder of We Are Saplings, a mindfulness-based brand that teaches emotional intelligence to children through playful, nature-inspired storytelling and characters. Through the Saplings and their stories, Clare shares simple mindfulness practices—such as child-friendly breathing exercises and yoga movements—that make emotional learning engaging and accessible for young minds. A proud Syracuse alumna, she graduated from Newhouse in 2010 and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Clare spent over a decade in the media industry, working with major entertainment brands such as Disney and Paramount before leaving the corporate world to become an entrepreneur and pursue her passion for children’s emotional well-being. Now, through We Are Saplings, she is on a mission to help kids cultivate self-awareness and resilience. A writer and lifelong yogi, she finds inspiration in travel, new experiences, and diverse perspectives. She currently lives in Marina del Rey, California, with her beloved dog, Lennox. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx