The experience is designed to:
The activities in this workshop are specifically designed for 10-13 year olds (and their mothers) to support social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness.
Mature 9 year olds and young 14 year olds are also welcome.
Agenda
• Opening circle + game
• Group Activity 1 (Power Pieces)
• Cacao ceremony and sacred cycle discussion
• Partner Work
• Catered lunch
• Group Activity 2 (Explore + Express)
• Dance party and embodiment
Power Pieces
(Group Activity)
One of the card decks utilized will be the Power Pieces deck. This deck was developed by Danielle Bardellini (facilitator) and child psychologist, Monique Hill. It is designed for children and teens 9 - 18 years old to develop emotional awareness, regulate their emotions, create mindfulness practices, and learn skills to manage distress. In this workshop, we will be learning how to navigate this deck in a group activity.
Explore and Express
(Group Activity)
Danielle has developed a series of programs and products in collaboration with mental health professionals and drama/art therapists. The activities stem from traditional theater games that develop confidence, communication and community. In addition, they are layered with elements that explore inner emotional landscapes and offer an avenue to express outwardly.
Cacao Ceremony
There will be an offering of pure, ceremonial grade cacao to drink. This ceremony will include discussion around the knowledge/background of Cacao, how its made and its health benefits . We will also discuss the connection to the women's sacred menstrual cycle and how this can be used as medicine. This will be a time for girls to connect to their cycles in a social setting. This is a moment to gather in a modern-day re-envisioning of the "red tent or moon lodge" so that girls may find a ceremonial honoring of this rite of passage, learn from women and support one another.
Health Benefits of Cacao for Adolescents
Cacao is most beneficial in its raw, unprocessed form. Processed chocolate products, which often contain additives and go through heavy heating, may not provide the same health advantages. For this ceremony, we will be using a ceremonial grade cacao which means it is pure, raw and unprocessed.
01
Nutrient Dense
Cacao is rich in essential nutrients like magnesium, iron, fiber, and vitamins B6 and E, which are important for the growth and development of adolescents.
02
Brain Health
The flavonoids and other compounds found in cacao may support cognitive function, memory, and focus, which can be particularly beneficial for girls in their teenage years as they navigate academic challenges and cognitive development.
03
Menstrual Support
Cacao is a rich source of magnesium, a mineral that plays a crucial role in muscle relaxation and can help alleviate menstrual cramps, which are often caused by uterine contractions. Iron is important for maintaining healthy blood levels, and menstruating individuals may experience iron loss during their periods. Consuming iron-rich foods like cacao can help replenish iron stores and prevent iron deficiency anemia
04
Mood Enhancement & Stabilization
Adolescence is often a time of emotional ups and downs, and the compounds in cacao, such as phenylethylamine (PEA) and anandamide, help promote feelings of happiness and well-being by stimulating the release of endorphins. Cacao can help regulate serotonin levels, which may contribute to mood stabilization.
Facilitated by Danielle Bardellini
Danielle founded firefly because she believes the children of today will lead us to a world with greater harmony, wisdom and joy. Her intention through firefly is to give young people a safe, nourishing container for a new narrative to be born.
Danielle has over 15 years of experience in the Education industry. She founded Act Your Heart, teaching social-emotional learning through the performing arts. Filmmaking, music, acting and dance were vehicles for children to find self-expression, emotional stability, and deep community.
She was a Learning Designer at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, where she worked on projects funded by the National Science Foundation and NASA. She collaborated with the University of Penn, and Cal Poly conducting research on cognitive and behavioral research in young children’s learning.
She was the Program Director at STEMful, a science-technology-engineering-mathematics education organization serving the San Francisco Bay Area. She developed and implemented company vision, and oversaw the delivery of all programs.
She is greatly influenced by her ancient island heritage and indigenous traditions. She was a collaborator of The East Gate, a program to initiate your new beginning influenced by the traditions of the Native American medicine wheel. She is in community to build an Ancient Future where we reconnect to the land and people while staying present in the forward-thinking world of innovation.
Danielle is driven by her mission: Composing Learning Experiences to Advance Human Potential. She is proud to deliver this program as a part of this mission.