Our Approach
Wanderly stories are aligned with the CASEL framework, the gold standard in social-emotional learning trusted by educators, researchers, and parents worldwide.
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.
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.
Our stories invite children to explore characters who discover their own feelings, recognize what makes them unique, and learn to trust their inner voice.
Someone you care about is having a really hard day. They're not acting like themselves—something seems off, like a warning light telling you to check in. What do you do? With a little advice from a wise friend, you'll learn that being a good friend isn't about fixing everything—sometimes it's about pulling over, showing up, and letting someone know they're not alone.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Ever heard of High, Low, Buffalo? It's a great way to learn about how the day went, with a little bit of silliness mixed in. This story is best read together.
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.
Through choice-based narratives, children practice strategies for handling difficult moments, celebrating what works, and building resilience when things don't go as planned.
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!
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!
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.
Get ready for the first day of Kindergarten! Create space to talk about how your little one is feeling. Use role-play + some personalized details to prepare them for transitions, activities, and what their first day will be like.
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!
You are the hero of your very own quest. You'll encounter friendly helpers, solve puzzles, and brave obstacles to find what's needed to save a special location of your choice!
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.
Children experience stories where characters navigate friendship challenges, practice communication, and learn that strong relationships take practice and care.
Someone you care about is having a really hard day. They're not acting like themselves—something seems off, like a warning light telling you to check in. What do you do? With a little advice from a wise friend, you'll learn that being a good friend isn't about fixing everything—sometimes it's about pulling over, showing up, and letting someone know they're not alone.
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!
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Someone you care about is having a really hard day. They're not acting like themselves—something seems off, like a warning light telling you to check in. What do you do? With a little advice from a wise friend, you'll learn that being a good friend isn't about fixing everything—sometimes it's about pulling over, showing up, and letting someone know they're not alone.
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!
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!
Be one of Wanderly Station's wildlife rescuers! Join a thrilling mission to help a lost wolf pup find its pack, and discover that these wild creatures aren't so scary after all! 🐺
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.
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.
Children with strong SEL skills perform better in school, stay focused longer, and approach challenges with confidence.
SEL helps children understand and manage their emotions, reducing anxiety and building resilience through life's ups and downs.
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.
Explore our collection of stories designed to build these essential skills through engaging, personalized adventures your child will love.
Explore Story Templates
👂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:
Stories that build social awareness:
Someone you care about is having a really hard day. They're not acting like themselves—something seems off, like a warning light telling you to check in. What do you do? With a little advice from a wise friend, you'll learn that being a good friend isn't about fixing everything—sometimes it's about pulling over, showing up, and letting someone know they're not alone.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.