Emotional Learning Products for Kids… and Their Parents with the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Slumberkins

How Slumberkins is Revolutionizing Emotional Wellness for Children: Insights from Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard

Introduction

In a world where emotional intelligence is becoming increasingly crucial, Slumberkins is pioneering a unique approach to children's emotional wellness. Founded by best friends Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard, Slumberkins aims to support families in nurturing their children's emotional development through engaging stories and lovable characters. This article delves into the origins of Slumberkins, the impact of its products, and the innovative strategies behind its success.

What is Slumberkins and How Did It Start?

What Problem Does Slumberkins Solve?

Slumberkins was created to fill a gap in the market for tools that help parents foster their children's emotional wellness. Many parents struggle with finding resources to teach their kids about emotions, resilience, and self-worth. Slumberkins provides these resources through books, plush toys, and soon, a streaming series that combine therapeutic techniques with engaging narratives.

How Did Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard Transition from Education and Therapy to Entrepreneurship?

Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard, best friends since high school, have backgrounds in special education and family therapy, respectively. Their professional experiences in emotional health and education inspired them to create Slumberkins. The idea was born during their shared maternity leave when they realized the need for accessible tools to support children's emotional development.

How Does Slumberkins Work?

What Are Slumberkins' Key Products?

Slumberkins offers a range of products designed to help children understand and express their emotions. Each product pairs a plush character with a storybook that includes affirmations and therapeutic interventions. Here are some of the key offerings:

• Plush Characters and Storybooks: Each character represents different emotional themes, such as Bigfoot for self-esteem and Unicorn for authenticity.
• Curriculum for Schools: Slumberkins has developed a curriculum that aligns with state standards for social-emotional learning, allowing educators to integrate these concepts into their classrooms.

How Do Slumberkins' Products Facilitate Emotional Learning?

Slumberkins' storybooks use rhythmic language and affirmations to engage children and create meaningful moments between parents and children. For example, Bigfoot's affirmation includes, "I am kind, I am strong, I am brave and unique. The world is better because I am here, and I like me." These affirmations help children internalize positive messages about themselves.

Why Do Parents and Educators Choose Slumberkins?

What Impact Does Slumberkins Have on Children's Emotional Wellness?

The impact of Slumberkins is evident in the positive feedback from parents and educators. The products are designed to be easy to use, making it simple for parents to integrate emotional learning into daily routines. Teachers have also reported significant improvements in classroom behavior and emotional understanding among students using the Slumberkins curriculum.

How Does Slumberkins Ensure the Effectiveness of Its Products?

Slumberkins' approach is grounded in well-established therapeutic theories, such as family systems theory and interpersonal neurobiology. These theories emphasize the importance of understanding and managing emotions within the context of relationships. By integrating these concepts into their products, Slumberkins ensures that their tools are both effective and accessible.

What Challenges Did Slumberkins Face in Scaling Its Operations?

How Did Slumberkins Overcome Early-Stage Challenges?

Like many startups, Slumberkins faced significant challenges in its early stages. Initially, Callie and Kelly funded their venture with a $200 loan from Kelly's mother and sold their first products at local craft fairs. Despite being turned down by publishers, they persisted in their vision, ultimately gaining traction through grassroots efforts and direct consumer sales.

How Did Slumberkins Build Its Community?

Slumberkins has cultivated a loyal community, particularly through its Slumberkins Social Facebook group, which has grown to over 35,000 members. This group serves as a support network for parents, providing a platform for discussions about emotional wellness and parenting. The engagement strategies, such as exclusive product drops and regular live sessions with the founders, have helped build trust and loyalty among customers.

How Does Slumberkins Foster a Culture of Innovation?

What Role Does Community Engagement Play in Slumberkins' Success?

Community engagement is central to Slumberkins' success. The founders regularly interact with their community, offering live sessions and responding to posts. This direct communication has not only fostered a sense of belonging among customers but has also provided valuable feedback for product development.

How Does Slumberkins Measure the Success of Its Community Initiatives?

Slumberkins measures the success of its community initiatives through various metrics, including engagement rates and customer loyalty. Members of the Slumberkins Social Facebook group have been found to purchase five times more than non-members, demonstrating the effectiveness of their community-driven approach.

FAQs

What is Slumberkins' Core Offering?

Slumberkins provides storybooks paired with plush characters that help children learn about emotions and develop emotional intelligence through engaging narratives and affirmations.

How Do Slumberkins' Products Support Emotional Learning?

Slumberkins integrates therapeutic techniques into their storybooks, making it easy for parents and educators to foster emotional learning through daily interactions and routines.

How Did Slumberkins Build Its Community?

Slumberkins built its community primarily through organic growth on social media, creating a supportive space for parents to discuss emotional wellness and parenting strategies.

What Impact Does Slumberkins Have on Children?

Slumberkins helps children develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-worth, as reported by both parents and educators who use their products.

How Can I Learn More About Slumberkins?

For more information on Slumberkins and their innovative emotional wellness solutions, visit Interplay. If you're looking for an incubator to support your startup, check out our incubator program. To listen to more insightful podcasts, visit our blog.

By addressing the emotional wellness needs of children through engaging and accessible tools, Slumberkins is making a significant impact on families and educators. Their innovative approach and strong community focus provide valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and parents alike.

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