Our Approach

Stories That Build Social-Emotional Skills

Wanderly stories are aligned with the CASEL framework, the gold standard in social-emotional learning trusted by educators, researchers, and parents worldwide.

What is CASEL?

CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) is the nation's leading organization advancing evidence-based social-emotional learning. Their framework identifies five core competencies that help children thrive in school, relationships, and life.

At Wanderly, we don't just talk about these skills—we help your child practice them through engaging, choice-based stories where every decision matters.

The five core competencies are: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. Each represents skills your child will use every day—at home, at school, and with friends.

🪞Self-Awareness

What it sounds like:

I know who I am, how I feel, and what's important to me.

Self-awareness means recognizing your emotions, understanding your strengths, and knowing what you value. It's the foundation for all other social-emotional skills.

How Wanderly helps:

Our stories invite children to explore characters who discover their own feelings, recognize what makes them unique, and learn to trust their inner voice.

Skills your child will practice:

  • Naming and understanding emotions as they happen
  • Recognizing personal strengths and talents
  • Understanding how feelings connect to thoughts and actions
  • Identifying what matters most to them

Stories that build self-awareness:

A mirror on a desk, and the title "All About Me"

Create a special book that's all about YOU! Discover what makes you unique, celebrate your strengths, explore how you're similar to and different from others, and identify the special people in your life who are always there to help you.

Self-AwarenessConfidence+2 more
6 lightstones or gems of the 6 colors of the main characters in Luxterra

It's your first day at Lux University! You've just found your lightstone and you're ready to learn how to become a Gemkeeper. But your lightstone keeps flickering, and you're not sure if you're doing it right. Through meeting new friends, trying your first magic, and helping someone when they need it most, you'll discover the real secret to making your lightstone shine bright.

School ReadinessConfidence+4 more
A car with the hood open, and a symbolic heart "Under the Hood"

Join your choice of character for a day in Rubberdale where things don't run quite as smoothly as planned. When feelings start revving up, your character learns to check under the hood - noticing their emotions, understanding their body's signals, and choosing how to respond. Will they find a way to get their day back on track?

ConfidenceResilience+6 more
A glowing Luxball and the cover title, "Ready, Set, GLOW!"

Spike the Porcupine is teaching Luxball today—the most magical game at Lux University! It's your first time playing, and you're feeling a lot of different things. Will you learn to control your magic, listen to feedback, and discover that you CAN do hard things?

New ActivitiesResilience+7 more
A cover image of "How I Feel & What I Do" with emojis

Join your choice of character on a themed adventure where they face a challenge similar to your own experience. When things don't go as planned, your character learns to notice their feelings, understand their body's signals, discover what they believe deep down, and choose how to respond. Together, you'll make a plan so things can go even better next time!

ConfidenceResilience+6 more
A child floating through a magical cloud landscape and the title "There Will Come a Day"

Every child is just as they need to be. Customize this story embracing who your child is today and the choices they will make when faced with opportunities and challenges through a personalized theme.

ConfidencePerseverance+3 more

🎯Self-Management

What it sounds like:

I can handle hard feelings and keep trying, even when things are tricky.

Self-management is about regulating emotions, managing stress, and staying motivated toward goals. It's not about suppressing feelings—it's about choosing helpful responses.

How Wanderly helps:

Through choice-based narratives, children practice strategies for handling difficult moments, celebrating what works, and building resilience when things don't go as planned.

Skills your child will practice:

  • Using calming strategies when overwhelmed
  • Setting goals and working toward them step by step
  • Managing impulses and thinking before acting
  • Bouncing back from disappointment or failure

Stories that build self-management:

6 lightstones or gems of the 6 colors of the main characters in Luxterra

It's your first day at Lux University! You've just found your lightstone and you're ready to learn how to become a Gemkeeper. But your lightstone keeps flickering, and you're not sure if you're doing it right. Through meeting new friends, trying your first magic, and helping someone when they need it most, you'll discover the real secret to making your lightstone shine bright.

School ReadinessConfidence+4 more
A car with the hood open, and a symbolic heart "Under the Hood"

Join your choice of character for a day in Rubberdale where things don't run quite as smoothly as planned. When feelings start revving up, your character learns to check under the hood - noticing their emotions, understanding their body's signals, and choosing how to respond. Will they find a way to get their day back on track?

ConfidenceResilience+6 more
A cheerful race car character surrounded by scattered tools and cleaning supplies in a colorful workshop setting

Your character's space is getting pretty messy! Everyone in Rubberdale says, "Tools in Place, Ready to Race!" but what does that really mean? When things start piling up, will you find a way to get organized—or discover what happens when the mess takes over? Either way, you'll learn that it's okay to not love cleaning... and that keeping things tidy has some surprising benefits!

ChoresSelf-Management+2 more
A glowing Luxball and the cover title, "Ready, Set, GLOW!"

Spike the Porcupine is teaching Luxball today—the most magical game at Lux University! It's your first time playing, and you're feeling a lot of different things. Will you learn to control your magic, listen to feedback, and discover that you CAN do hard things?

New ActivitiesResilience+7 more
Magical training gym with colorful obstacle courses and the title "Polish and Grind"

Time for training at the Lux University Gym! You'll discover a brand new move, team up with a partner, and face a tricky obstacle course. But when things get tough, you might just learn that some challenges need teamwork to overcome. Fill in the blanks to create your own silly training adventure!

PlayfulnessConfidence+4 more
A cover image of "How I Feel & What I Do" with emojis

Join your choice of character on a themed adventure where they face a challenge similar to your own experience. When things don't go as planned, your character learns to notice their feelings, understand their body's signals, discover what they believe deep down, and choose how to respond. Together, you'll make a plan so things can go even better next time!

ConfidenceResilience+6 more

👂Social Awareness

What it sounds like:

I can tell how others feel and understand that everyone's experience is different from mine.

Social awareness means recognizing emotions in others, taking different perspectives, and showing empathy across diverse backgrounds and experiences.

How Wanderly helps:

Our stories feature characters from different backgrounds navigating various challenges, helping children practice seeing the world through someone else's eyes.

Skills your child will practice:

  • Recognizing emotions in others through words and body language
  • Understanding that others may feel differently about the same situation
  • Showing empathy and compassion
  • Appreciating diversity and respecting differences

Stories that build social awareness:

A mirror on a desk, and the title "All About Me"

Create a special book that's all about YOU! Discover what makes you unique, celebrate your strengths, explore how you're similar to and different from others, and identify the special people in your life who are always there to help you.

Self-AwarenessConfidence+2 more
A glowing Luxball and the cover title, "Ready, Set, GLOW!"

Spike the Porcupine is teaching Luxball today—the most magical game at Lux University! It's your first time playing, and you're feeling a lot of different things. Will you learn to control your magic, listen to feedback, and discover that you CAN do hard things?

New ActivitiesResilience+7 more
Magical training gym with colorful obstacle courses and the title "Polish and Grind"

Time for training at the Lux University Gym! You'll discover a brand new move, team up with a partner, and face a tricky obstacle course. But when things get tough, you might just learn that some challenges need teamwork to overcome. Fill in the blanks to create your own silly training adventure!

PlayfulnessConfidence+4 more
A colorful cover that says "I Can Make Good Choices"

Create a story designed to guide your child to work on behavior skills. Pick a behavior to work on, specify replacement behaviors, and add in special details to set them up for success in this personalized story.

Self-ManagementSocial Awareness+2 more
Two unicorn princesses arguing over party decorations with magical sparkles swirling around them before the Unicorn Ball

Princess Moonflower and Princess Fluttersky are throwing the annual Unicorn Ball... but they can't agree on anything! Can you help them get the party planning back on track in time for the ball?

PlayfulnessSocial Awareness
A warm illustration of a community with buildings, trees, and the title "All About My Community"

Explore what makes your community unique, celebrate the people in it, learn about the special things you do together, and find out how you help make your community a wonderful place for everyone.

ConfidenceHelpfulness+4 more

🤝Relationship Skills

What it sounds like:

I can be a good friend, work well with others, and ask for help when I need it.

Relationship skills include communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating with others, and navigating conflicts in healthy ways.

How Wanderly helps:

Children experience stories where characters navigate friendship challenges, practice communication, and learn that strong relationships take practice and care.

Skills your child will practice:

  • Communicating thoughts and feelings clearly
  • Listening to others with genuine interest
  • Working cooperatively in groups
  • Resolving conflicts respectfully and fairly

Stories that build relationship skills:

A car with the hood open, and a symbolic heart "Under the Hood"

Join your choice of character for a day in Rubberdale where things don't run quite as smoothly as planned. When feelings start revving up, your character learns to check under the hood - noticing their emotions, understanding their body's signals, and choosing how to respond. Will they find a way to get their day back on track?

ConfidenceResilience+6 more
A cover image of "How I Feel & What I Do" with emojis

Join your choice of character on a themed adventure where they face a challenge similar to your own experience. When things don't go as planned, your character learns to notice their feelings, understand their body's signals, discover what they believe deep down, and choose how to respond. Together, you'll make a plan so things can go even better next time!

ConfidenceResilience+6 more
A cover image for The Kindness Express, including an old-fashion train

All aboard the Kindness Express! Join our adventure through a magical train where each car holds a fantastical creature with a small problem. Help solve their troubles with just the right amount of kindness - not too little, not too much. Remember, true kindness means helping others while taking care of yourself too!

KindnessRelationship Skills
A warm illustration of a community with buildings, trees, and the title "All About My Community"

Explore what makes your community unique, celebrate the people in it, learn about the special things you do together, and find out how you help make your community a wonderful place for everyone.

ConfidenceHelpfulness+4 more
A close up of a gas tank getting filled with a gas pump, and the title "Tanks of Thanks"

The Derby is over, and the crowds have gone home. Now it's time for something special - a Thank You Tour! Join your favorite racer as they visit friends around Rubberdale to say thanks to the people who make their racing dreams possible. Along the way, you'll think about the people YOU want to thank, too.

GratitudeSocial Awareness+2 more
The office of the Mayor of Opal City, and the cover title "Under Pressure"

It's your turn to be Mayor of Opal City for a week! Everyone in Opal City takes turns being mayor, and now it's your chance to help solve problems and bring people together. When someone comes to your office needing help, what will you do?

ConfidenceHelpfulness+5 more

🤔Responsible Decision-Making

What it sounds like:

I can stop and think about my choices, and I know my actions affect others.

Responsible decision-making means making thoughtful, ethical choices that consider your well-being, others, and the broader community.

How Wanderly helps:

Every Wanderly story is interactive—your child makes choices that shape the narrative. They see how decisions unfold, practice thinking ahead, and learn that choices matter.

Skills your child will practice:

  • Thinking through options before acting
  • Considering how choices affect themselves and others
  • Making decisions based on kindness and fairness
  • Understanding that mistakes are part of learning

Stories that build responsible decision-making:

A car with the hood open, and a symbolic heart "Under the Hood"

Join your choice of character for a day in Rubberdale where things don't run quite as smoothly as planned. When feelings start revving up, your character learns to check under the hood - noticing their emotions, understanding their body's signals, and choosing how to respond. Will they find a way to get their day back on track?

ConfidenceResilience+6 more
A glowing Luxball and the cover title, "Ready, Set, GLOW!"

Spike the Porcupine is teaching Luxball today—the most magical game at Lux University! It's your first time playing, and you're feeling a lot of different things. Will you learn to control your magic, listen to feedback, and discover that you CAN do hard things?

New ActivitiesResilience+7 more
A cover image of "How I Feel & What I Do" with emojis

Join your choice of character on a themed adventure where they face a challenge similar to your own experience. When things don't go as planned, your character learns to notice their feelings, understand their body's signals, discover what they believe deep down, and choose how to respond. Together, you'll make a plan so things can go even better next time!

ConfidenceResilience+6 more
An urban looking landscape with the title "I Can Stay Safe", with a safety cone between "I" and "Can"

Create a story designed to prepare your child for emergencies, like getting lost, responding to a fire alarm, or dealing with a power outage. Set the stage for what might happen, who might be there, what to do, what feelings might come up, and what to do when the emergency is over.

SafetyDecision Making+2 more
A sprouting seed and the title "I Can Do New Things"

Want to prepare your child for something new? This story breaks down a new adventure into concrete steps: why we try new things, why we're trying this new thing, where it will take place, who will be there, what we can do if it becomes overwhelming, and the feelings that arise throughout.

New ActivitiesConfidence+5 more
Mayor Cluckett (a rooster in a suit) is waving a checkered flag, and the cover title "The Rubberdale Derby"

It's that time of year again: The Rubberdale Derby! Six colorful characters zoom through meadows, forests, and hills in their unique vehicles. Along the way, you'll help your character make important choices about racing strategy, helping friends, using special abilities, and finding creative shortcuts. Will teamwork, speed, or clever thinking win the day? The adventure is full of surprises, friendship, and fun!

PerseveranceConfidence+2 more

Why Social-Emotional Learning Matters

🎓

Academic Success

Children with strong SEL skills perform better in school, stay focused longer, and approach challenges with confidence.

❤️

Emotional Well-Being

SEL helps children understand and manage their emotions, reducing anxiety and building resilience through life's ups and downs.

🫂

Stronger Relationships

Kids with SEL skills build healthier friendships, communicate more effectively, and navigate conflicts with empathy.

Research shows that social-emotional learning not only improves academic performance but also contributes to long-term success in relationships, careers, and overall well-being. These aren't just “soft skills”—they're essential life skills.

Ready to Get Started?

Explore our collection of stories designed to build these essential skills through engaging, personalized adventures your child will love.

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