Friday, Jun. 27, 2025
What do a group of expressive puppets, a mother-son creative duo, and Early Learning Washington County (ELWC) have in common? They’re all part of a powerful effort to help young children build emotional intelligence, navigate challenges, and get ready for kindergarten - one short video at a time.
A Little SEL was founded by Colleen Thompson and her son Rob to support social-emotional learning (SEL) for children through engaging, developmentally appropriate video lessons. Each week, teachers and families receive short, story-driven videos featuring the “Puppet Pals” - a cast of lovable, diverse characters with unique strengths, personalities, and challenges that mirror those of the kids watching.
Through relatable scenarios, the Puppet Pals help children learn how to identify and manage their feelings, problem-solve, build empathy, and get along with others. It’s playful and lighthearted, but the impact runs deep.
“Some of the most powerful moments happen when children feel seen by a puppet,” Colleen shared. “One non-verbal child used her communication board to ask a question to Roscoe, a non-speaking puppet. In that moment, there was this profound connection - that puppet made her feel safe.”
Thanks to support from ELWC, A Little SEL was able to expand its work to reach even more families and educators in Washington County. In the first year of the grant, they produced an entire year’s worth of bilingual video content specifically tailored to preschool-aged children. Each weekly lesson includes:
- One short video for adults (in English and Spanish), offering tips and strategies for supporting their child’s development;
- Two kid-friendly videos that model SEL strategies using the Puppet Pals;
- Discussion prompts, posters, and games to extend the learning at home or in the classroom.
Some of the most powerful moments happen when children feel seen by a puppet. One non-verbal child used her communication board to ask a question to Roscoe, a non-speaking puppet. In that moment, there was this profound connection - that puppet made her feel safe.
Colleen Thompson, Founder of A Little SEL
Colleen emphasizes that the videos aren’t meant to replace adults - they’re a starting point. “The real magic happens in the conversations and practice that follow, when a teacher or parent helps a child apply what they’ve just seen.”
Now in the second year of the partnership, the focus is shifting from content creation to outreach — especially to Spanish-speaking families and early learning providers. With the help of ELWC and its network of partners, Colleen is building new connections and creating space to share the videos, offer professional development, and empower parents with tools they can use every day.
“It’s about equipping families and teachers with a shared language and approach,” she said. “And it’s amazing to see how children take these skills and start using them on their own — solving problems, sticking with activities, even helping each other.”
A Little SEL is rooted in CASEL’s five core SEL competencies — self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. But it’s the storytelling, empathy, and joy woven into each episode that makes the lessons stick. As one teacher told Colleen after a classroom visit, “They don’t just watch the puppets. They believe in them. They see themselves in them.”
To learn more about A Little SEL or how to bring it to your school or parent group, visit alittlesel.com.