Hi, my name is Paloma Ruiz, and I’m the founder of Inspire, Guide & Nurture.

Through our Books for Kids SEL Initiative, we bring free social-emotional learning directly into elementary classrooms — and extend that learning into children’s homes.

Many children experience big emotions like anger, frustration, and anxiety, yet don’t always have the tools to understand or manage them. Social-emotional learning helps children recognize emotions, build self-regulation skills, and develop healthy ways to cope — skills that support both academic success and emotional well-being.

Through this initiative, we visit schools to host interactive SEL read-aloud experiences using carefully selected children’s books. During each visit, students actively participate in discussion, practice coping strategies, and learn age-appropriate emotional skills they can use right away.

$25 helps provide materials for the classroom, a book and SEL activity for one child to take home.

What Makes This Initiative Unique

Each classroom experience is designed to support both students and educators.

Every participating classroom receives:

• A social-emotional learning storybook

• An interactive read-aloud and SEL lesson

• A reusable, age-appropriate teacher lesson plan aligned with core subjects, including Math, Science, Language Arts, Music, and Art

These lesson plans allow teachers to reuse the book and activities throughout the year, reinforcing emotional skills across multiple subjects and learning styles.

Each child also receives:

• Their own SEL book to take home

• A family-friendly SEL activity to practice skills together at home

This ensures learning continues beyond the classroom and supports meaningful conversations about emotions, coping skills, and positive choices at home.

Our First Goal

We are currently raising funds to support our first participating classrooms in Palm Harbor, FL.

Every book placed in a child’s hands is a step toward stronger emotional skills — both in the classroom and at home.

Why This Matters

Research shows that consistent SEL support:

• Improves emotional regulation and focus

• Reduces classroom stress and behavioral challenges

• Strengthens relationships and confidence

• Supports academic learning across subjects

When teachers and families are both involved, children are more likely to practice and retain these skills in everyday life.

How Your Support Helps

Funds raised through this campaign will be used to:

• Buy SEL storybooks

• Create teacher lesson plans and classroom materials

• Develop family take-home SEL activities

• In person interactive, school-based SEL read aloud

This is a community-powered effort to give children lifelong tools for understanding emotions, building resilience, and learning with confidence.

Thank you for helping us begin with one classroom — and grow from there.