It’s natural to have anxiety, and it’s actually normal for simple childhood worries like being afraid of the dark to morph into something more serious. Kids can develop anxiety disorders which interfere with the child’s relationships, home life, and even school work. Hannah was interested in learning about how design could create better mental health and healthy conversations for children who struggle with anxiety. She believes that childhood anxiety, especially when left alone, can strongly impact adulthood, and that’s what brings significance to this project.

After some extensive research and concept development, Hannah’s degree project focuses on providing more mental health support for kids through a mindfulness subscription box. InsideOut is for kids between the ages 6-11, and the InsideOut website serves as a source for the parents and guardians. Practicing mindfulness is empowering for kids and can help manage their stress and anxiety. This box will help with providing tools and teach coping-mechanisms for childhood anxiety and every item in the box is designed to help with self-regulation and promote positive emotions.

The staple item that comes in the subscription box will be a deck of Mindfulness Activity Cards. There are five categories of interactive cards: Calm, Sensory, Activity, Writing, and Coloring cards. These are fun activities and intentional prompts curated for children 6-11 years old. Based on Hannah’s research, a child’s anxiety can be heavily affected by routine — or lack thereof — so the InsideOut box will come with a Kid Routine Calendar. It will also always include a children’s book, a sensory item, and a mystery surprise item. The InsideOut website will not only be a place where parents can purchase the subscription box, but also a one-stop-shop for helpful tools and resources along with a way for them to connect with other parents and create a support group for their families. The goal is for children to learn good mental health practices and for parents to be better equipped with resources and feel more supported.