A short history of NaliniKIDS

A short history of NaliniKIDS

NaliniKIDS was founded by Rupa Mehta, a NYC fitness entrepreneur. After years of challenging her adult clients to reflect on what truly makes them feel healthy, Rupa took her methodology to the classroom.


NaliniKIDS was founded by Rupa Mehta, a NYC fitness entrepreneur. After years of challenging her adult clients to reflect on what truly makes them feel healthy, Rupa took her methodology to the classroom.

NaliniKIDS was founded by Rupa Mehta, a NYC fitness entrepreneur. After years of challenging her adult clients to reflect on what truly makes them feel healthy, Rupa took her methodology to the classroom.

The signature Nalini style combines physical exercise with emotional reflection prompts that help kids feel more confident, empowered, and energized to learn. 


The signature Nalini style combines physical exercise with emotional reflection prompts that help kids feel more confident, empowered, and energized to learn. 

The signature Nalini style combines physical exercise with emotional reflection prompts that help kids feel more confident, empowered, and energized to learn. 

The goal of all Nalini programs is to build habits of movement and reflection that will help them  in their daily lives — as students and adults.


The goal of all Nalini programs is to build habits of movement and reflection that will help them  in their daily lives — as students and adults.

The goal of all Nalini programs is to build habits of movement and reflection that will help them  in their daily lives — as students and adults.

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2008

Rupa grabs some friends and begins volunteering at a Brooklyn middle school teaching physical workouts in combination with an informal book club. Students are encouraged to think about the lessons they’ve learned from their own life experiences. 

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2012

NaliniKIDS becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Rupa names the program after her mother, Nalini, who always created an environment for her in which she felt accepted, encouraged, nurtured, and challenged.

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2016

The NYC DOE selects NaliniKIDS as the mandated social-emotional learning program for their summer school program. 

2019

Research teams from Teachers College at Columbia University complete two independent evaluations of NaliniKIDS.

2020

NaliniKIDS spreads worldwide as free resources launched during the Covid–19 pandemic help students process and cope with the changes happening all around them.

Today

NaliniKIDS currently serves 200,000 students (and counting!) worldwide

NaliniKIDS currently serves 200,000 (and counting!) students worldwide

NaliniKIDS currently serves 200,000 (and counting!) students worldwide

Why movement?

Why movement?

Why movement?

Why movement?

Intentional movement grounds students in their bodies and helps them get present in the moment.

When students are present, they have stronger focus, feel more confident, and are ready to engage in learning.

Intentional movement grounds students in their own bodies and helps them get present in the moment.

When students are present, they have stronger focus, feel more confident, and are ready to engage in learning.

Intentional movement grounds students in their own bodies and helps them get present in the moment.

When students are present, they have stronger focus, feel more confident, and are ready to engage in learning.

Intentional movement grounds students in their own bodies and helps them get present in the moment.

When students are present, they have stronger focus, feel more confident, and are ready to engage in learning.

Why reflection?

Why reflection?

Why reflection?

Why reflection?

Dedicated time for reflection helps students become more aware of their thoughts + feelings, and can help them better understand their life experiences.

With this clarity, students become better at self-management, connecting with others, and making responsible decisions.

Dedicated time for reflection helps a student become more aware of their thoughts + feelings and can help them better understand their life experiences.

With this clarity, a student becomes better at self-management, connecting with others, and making responsible decisions.

Dedicated time for reflection helps a student become more aware of their thoughts + feelings and can help them better understand their life experiences.

With this clarity, a student becomes better at self-management, connecting with others, and making responsible decisions.

Dedicated time for reflection helps a student become more aware of their thoughts + feelings and can help them better understand their life experiences.

With this clarity, a student becomes better at self-management, connecting with others, and making responsible decisions.

PARTNERS

pleasedteacher
NEW YORK CITY
NEW YORK CITY
NEW YORK CITY
NEW YORK CITY
NEW YORK CITY

We've partnered with the largest Department of Education in the US

We've partnered with the largest Department of Education in the US

We've partnered with the largest Department of Education in the US

We've partnered with the largest Department of Education in the US

We've partnered with the largest Department of Education in the US

From 2017–2019 NaliniKIDS was selected as the mandated social-emotional learning program for NYC's summer school program, Summer in the City. In 2020, when the world changed suddenly, NYC educators used our resources to give their students an outlet to cope and process the impact of Covid-19 on their lives.

From 2017–2019 NaliniKIDS was selected as the mandated social-emotional learning program for NYC's summer school program, Summer in the City. In 2020, when the world changed suddenly, NYC educators used our resources to give their students an outlet to cope and process the impact of Covid-19 on their lives.

From 2017–2019 NaliniKIDS was selected as the mandated social-emotional learning program for NYC's summer school program, Summer in the City. In 2020, when the world changed suddenly, NYC educators used our resources to give their students an outlet to cope and process the impact of Covid-19 on their lives.

From 2017–2019 NaliniKIDS was selected as the mandated social-emotional learning program for NYC's summer school program, Summer in the City. In 2020, when the world changed suddenly, NYC educators used our resources to give their students an outlet to cope and process the impact of Covid-19 on their lives.

From 2017–2019 NaliniKIDS was selected as the mandated social-emotional learning program for NYC's summer school program, Summer in the City. In 2020, when the world changed suddenly, NYC educators used our resources to give their students an outlet to cope and process the impact of Covid-19 on their lives.

RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH

We have been the subject of two independent evaluations 

We have been the subject of two independent evaluations 

We have been the subject of two independent evaluations 

We have been the subject of two independent evaluations 

We have been the subject of two independent evaluations 

⁠Researchers from Teachers College at Columbia University found that students who complete NaliniKIDS programs demonstrate improvements in focus, academic achievement, and emotional well-being.

⁠Researchers from Teachers College at Columbia University found that students who complete NaliniKIDS programs demonstrate improvements in focus, academic achievement, and emotional well-being.

⁠Researchers from Teachers College at Columbia University found that students who complete NaliniKIDS programs demonstrate improvements in focus, academic achievement, and emotional well-being.

⁠Researchers from Teachers College at Columbia University found that students who complete NaliniKIDS programs demonstrate improvements in focus, academic achievement, and emotional well-being.

⁠Researchers from Teachers College at Columbia University found that students who complete NaliniKIDS programs demonstrate improvements in focus, academic achievement, and emotional well-being.

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Would you like to help us continue to provide free,
high-quality resources to educators?

Would you like to help us continue to provide free, high-quality resources to educators?

Would you like to help us continue to provide free,
high-quality resources to educators?

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