10/05/2026
The Foundation strongly believes that working with high-potential learners is about so much more than academics and following their deep interests. 📚💡
That’s why we thought of having a socio-emotional session at Inventaland this month. However this session became much more than just a discussion about feelings — it became a space where children realised that many of the thoughts and emotions they carry so intensely are actually shared by others too. 💛
Led by Dr Rosienne Camilleri and Ms Erika Micallef, the session explored the connection between thoughts, feelings and actions, helping children understand how the way we think can shape how we feel, react and experience the world around us. 🌍
Set within the beautiful natural surroundings of Mount St Joseph, the sessions unfolded both indoors and outdoors, with the rustling of leaves, birdsong and open spaces creating a calm and grounding atmosphere for reflection and expression. For many of the children, being outdoors brought a sense of freedom and joy that was impossible to miss. As one child beautifully expressed, “I feel so happy, like I am in my element here in the outdoors.”
Through hands-on and reflective activities, the children were invited to explore their inner worlds in ways that felt safe, creative and meaningful. One of the activities, the “Thought Glasses”, encouraged children to look at the same situation through different “thinking lenses”. A mistake, for example, could suddenly feel overwhelming through one pair of glasses, but manageable and even helpful through another. It opened up beautiful discussions about perspective, self-talk and emotional reactions.
Another powerful activity invited the InventaLanders to draw outlines of the mind and the heart, using arrows to show the messages that travel between the two. Together, they explored how thoughts can influence emotions and how emotions can also shape thoughts and actions. The children reflected on the inner conversations they experience every day — worries, encouragement, pressure, hope, fear and self-belief — and many began recognising how strongly connected these inner messages really are.
The “Meltdown Jar” activity helped children visualise what emotional overload can feel like. Watching the fizzing jars build from calm to overwhelm gave language to experiences many children struggle to explain. The Emotion Continuum created particularly meaningful moments outdoors, where movement became part of the expression itself. As children physically positioned themselves along the continuum to show the intensity of emotions linked to different situations, there was laughter, honesty, reflection and a growing sense of connection. The activity helped many realise they were not alone in feelings such as overthinking, frustration, pressure, sensitivity or self-doubt. It also allowed them to express emotions not only through words, but through movement and space — something many of them embraced wholeheartedly.
One child reflected at the end of the session, “I learned about the courage to fail miserably,” leading into a beautiful discussion about how mistakes help us grow, learn and become better versions of ourselves.
Some reflected, some shared openly, some simply listened quietly and recognised themselves in others. And perhaps that was one of the most important outcomes of all. These sessions continue to remind us that emotional intelligence grows best in spaces where children feel seen, heard and understood — not judged.
Thank you so much dear Rosienne and Erika for such a creative and meaningful session … we’re sure they all took very invaluable lessons to help them now and in the future!
Thanks also to BOV for always supporting the foundation and making all this possible🙏
Thank you to St Joseph for hosting us … it really helped make this session special ❤️
📸 Rosienne, Erika, Adrian
