Moving Stories about Emotions programme
An evidence-based social-emotional learning and mental health promotion programme for preschool children.
Moving Stories about Emotions (MSE) is the first programme for children aged 4+ included in Poland’s national recommendation system. Developed in Poland and implemented nationwide, MSE has been evaluated in a cluster randomised controlled trial.
Why MSE?
Evidence-based
Evaluated in a large-scale cluster randomised controlled trial involving 722 preschool children in Poland.
Nationally recommended
Included in Poland’s national recommendation system for prevention and mental health promotion programmes. View official site –>
Real-world implementation
Implemented in preschool settings across Poland by trained programme facilitators.
Comprehensive approach
Ten structured workshops for children, complemented by components for parents and teachers.
What does MSE develop?
MSE is designed to strengthen three core areas of social-emotional competence:
Emotion recognition
Recognising and understanding one’s own and others’ emotions.
Emotion regulation
Developing adaptive ways of responding to difficult emotional experiences.
Social problem-solving
Exploring constructive strategies for challenging interpersonal situations.
MSE in Numbers
children reached
children participating in the effectiveness trial
trained programme facilitators across Poland
structured workshops for children
What’s Included in MSE?
The programme combines structured workshops and dedicated materials for children with complementary components for parents and teachers.
10 structured workshops for children
Workshop for teachers
Workshop for parents
Practical materials for teachers and caregivers
Child-friendly activity materials
A visual tool supporting emotion recognition and emotional awareness
How do we work?
Applied Drama
Children actively explore emotions and social situations through fictional roles, interaction and experiential activities in a safe learning environment.
Narrative Techniques
Stories create a fictional world in which children can explore different perspectives, understand characters’ experiences and consider alternative ways of responding to challenging situations.
Psychoeducation
Age-appropriate activities help children develop knowledge about emotions, strengthen emotional awareness and learn adaptive strategies for managing difficult situations.
Parent and Teacher Involvement
Dedicated components for parents and teachers extend social-emotional learning beyond the workshops and support children across their everyday environments.
Evidence of Effectiveness
MSE was evaluated in a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 722 preschool children in Poland. Children participating in MSE demonstrated higher overall social-emotional competence than children in the active control programme, with effects maintained at follow-up.
Cluster Randomisation
Participating preschools were randomly assigned to the MSE or active control condition.
Active Control Group
MSE was compared with a structurally equivalent programme focused on environmental education.
Standardised Assessment
Children’s social-emotional competence was assessed individually using the standardised IDS-2 by independent psychologists blinded to study condition.
MSE Implementation Partners
MSE was evaluated in a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 722 preschool children in Poland. Children participating in MSE demonstrated higher overall social-emotional competence than children in the active control programme, with effects maintained at follow-up.
Implementation in Poland
MSE is delivered across Poland by three partner organisations working according to shared programme standards to ensure consistent and high-quality implementation.
International Implementation
Kurdybanek Foundation coordinates the international development and implementation of MSE and serves as the main point of contact for organisations interested in adapting and delivering the programme outside Poland.
