Children learn mathematics, science and languages in school, but understanding their own emotions and managing stress can be equally important to their development. Recognising this need, actor Goldie Hawn established the Goldie Hawn Foundation in 2003 to help children develop emotional awareness and mental well-being. The initiative led to the creation of MindUP, a school-based programme that combines neuroscience, mindfulness and social-emotional learning to give children practical tools for handling everyday challenges. According to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Global Health Initiative, which supports MindUP, the programme has worked with children in 48 countries since its establishment in 2003. A February 13, 2026, profile published by ASU+GSV Summit reported that MindUP had reached more than 7 million children worldwide. Developed with neuroscientists, educators, psychologists and researchers, its curriculum aims to help children understand how their brains work, regulate emotions, reduce stress and build empathy. The initiative has grown from an effort to improve children's emotional well-being into an international education programme.
Hawn established the Goldie Hawn Foundation after becoming concerned about rising school violence, youth depression and suicide, as well as the difficulties children faced in managing increasingly stressful lives. She believed that schools needed to teach children more than traditional academic subjects and should also help them understand their emotions and mental health. To develop a practical approach, the foundation collaborated with neuroscientists, educators, psychologists and researchers. Their work resulted in MindUP, an evidence-based curriculum designed to introduce children to brain science and teach them skills for emotional regulation and positive behaviour. The programme was developed around the understanding that children who recognise their emotions and learn how their brains respond to stress can become better equipped to handle difficult situations. Rather than treating emotional well-being as a separate subject, MindUP integrates these lessons into classroom activities and everyday learning.
MindUP is designed for children aged 3 to 14 and also provides resources and guidance for educators and parents. Its curriculum brings together four key areas: neuroscience, social-emotional learning, positive psychology and mindful awareness. One of its central elements is helping children understand the brain and how it responds to different emotions and experiences. By learning about brain functions, children can better recognise what happens when they feel frightened, angry, anxious or overwhelmed. The programme also uses short mindfulness exercises, including breathing activities and brain breaks, to help students pause, focus their attention and manage stress. These practices are intended to help children become more aware of their thoughts and feelings rather than reacting immediately to difficult situations. Another important component is empathy. Through classroom discussions and activities, students learn to understand other people's feelings, develop positive relationships and respond to situations with kindness and compassion. The lessons also encourage optimism, resilience and responsible decision-making. The curriculum is organised into four interconnected units that gradually develop children's awareness, self-regulation and social skills. According to the SNF Global Health Initiative, these lessons aim to strengthen prosocial behaviour, executive functioning and social and emotional competence.
Over the years, MindUP has expanded beyond its initial school-based activities. Its resources are now available through an interactive online learning platform, allowing educators and families to access its lessons and practices in different settings. The programme has also received support from organisations working in education and mental health. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Global Health Initiative supports MindUP in making its curriculum more accessible, including through an animated version of its first unit, Understanding the Brain. The initiative is intended to make the lessons more engaging and accessible to children. Its international reach has also increased significantly. The February 2026 ASU+GSV Summit profile reported that MindUP had reached more than 7 million children across 48 countries. The programme's expansion reflects growing interest in social-emotional learning and the importance of addressing children's mental well-being as part of their education. MindUP's approach also highlights the role teachers and parents play in supporting children's emotional development. By using similar techniques at school and at home, adults can help children practise self-awareness, manage difficult feelings and develop healthier relationships. More than two decades after Hawn established her foundation, MindUP continues to focus on a simple idea: children need the skills to understand their minds and emotions just as much as they need academic knowledge. Its international growth demonstrates how brain science and practical classroom lessons can be brought together to support children's emotional development, resilience and overall well-being.
