In the heart of Children's Week 2024 at the Florida Capitol, a magical spectacle unfolded as the Storybook Village came to life, inspiring young minds to "Dream Big," this year's Child's Week theme. Storybook Village, an integral part of Children's Week, transforms the plaza at the Florida Capitol into a wonderland of education and learning for children.

With support from the Children's Service Council of Leon County and the FSU College of Social Work, the FSU Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children's (Stoops Center) Rebound and Recovery Program team engaged with young children, educators, legislators, and caregivers about the importance of mental health awareness.

At this year's event, the Rebound and Recovery team engaged children in activities about resilience, their emotions, and coping strategies, intertwining mental health and well-being with the magic of storytelling.

The event aims to create an immersive experience for children, offering interactive storytelling sessions, vibrant exhibits, and engaging activities inspired by beloved tales. Against this backdrop, the Rebound and Recovery team integrated their expertise in working with young children in Leon County into Storybook Village, bringing to life the storybook "The Tools Upon My Shelf" by Lara Klopp, a staff person at the Stoops Center and College of Social Work graduate. 

Using Rebound and Recovery tools, the team taught children how to recognize their emotions and the connection between them and their thoughts and actions. With interactive games and activities, children engaged with emotion identification and learned new cognitive behavioral tools to use at home and in the classroom.

Alongside their work with children, the Rebound and Recovery team has extended their impact by providing caregiver and parent outreach. These outreach events provide opportunities for the team to work with caregivers and parents to support their child's mental health. Parents and Caregivers are introduced to how to use cognitive behavioral tools, build their child's emotional vocabulary, and help their child regulate their emotions and nervous system to create a supportive environment at home.

"Rebound and Recovery provides parents and caregivers with practical tools they can immediately use with their children. It is not only equipping them to support their children's mental health and well-being, it is also providing the parents and caregivers with knowledge and skills they can use," stated Tai Cole, assistant director of Rebound and Recovery.

This collaborative effort between the Children's Service Council of Leon County, Leon County Schools, and the Stoops Center aims to strengthen the support network for children, emphasizing the interconnectedness of families, schools, and communities in fostering the well-rounded development of every child.

A special thank you goes to FSU Head Football Coach Mike Norvell and FSU Football for supporting Rebound and Recovery.