Concerned by the rising levels of childhood anxiety and depression, Norleen Zulu developed an interactive programme to build mental resilience in young children by creatively integrating literacy and social-emotional learning.
Johannesburg, South Africa (13 June 2025) – Mental health awareness discussions often draw attention to our psychological well-being. Sadly, however, young children in the formative years tend to be an overlooked demographic that needs to centre of those conversations.
The early years of development lay a critical foundation for emotional resilience, yet rising rates of childhood anxiety, depression, and self-harm underscore an urgent need for proactive interventions.
Moved to do her part in addressing these concerning cases, Norleen Zulu, who is a passionate Early Childhood Development Specialist, designed and facilitated ‘Read & Bloom’, a programme to build mental resilience in young children.
“The programme integrated literacy and social-emotional learning (SEL), curated to equip preschoolers with the skills to understand and navigate matters of mental health,” Norleen explains.
“The mission was to equip these young minds with the tools they need to navigate their mental health spectrum – feelings of sadness and worry, establishing emotional fortitude that benefits them throughout the entirety of their lives.”
Norleen and her team visited numerous schools, engaging with students and providing much-needed coaching. The goal, ambitious as it seemed, was to reach 200 learners, and they knocked it out of the park, reaching 226 learners between the ages of 3-6 years!
“To reinforce program messaging and impact, we donated 226 books to these young minds.”
By partnering with author Vuledzani Dangale, the Read & Bloom team used her inspiring book, Mashudu’s Magical Superpowers, as a creative, story-led toolkit to help children understand and process their emotions.
The programme’s success underscores the importance of parents spending quality time with their children and schools integrating SEL into daily learning, ensuring mental health education is as prioritised as traditional academics.
For Norleen, the intersection of literacy and emotional well-being offers a scalable, impactful approach to children’s mental health.
“As we reflect on International Mental Health Awareness Month, let us champion initiatives that advocate for systemic changes while tooling young minds to thrive. By nurturing emotional intelligence early, we cultivate a generation equipped to face life’s challenges with resilience and self-awareness. The time to act is now!”
Sources: Norleen Zulu
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