M.I.understanding is proud to present “M.I.friends”, our newest resource developed to provide families with tools, videos, and resources to help children build resiliency. 

The “M.I.friends” program provides children with a comfort toy (named Poppy), support videos and activities to work through, while also giving parents strategies, tools, resources, and suggestions on how to support their child as they learn to self-regulate. Poppy can help manage stressful situations when big feelings arise.

Poppy has been designed to help families develop strategies, start a conversation, and bridge the gap to care with tools to strengthen educational and medical supportDeveloped with the experts at The Mary J. Wright Child Youth and Development Clinic, Faculty of Education, Western University and educational advisors with decades of experience helping children and their families manage their feelings, Poppy’s online program will also support future research and development around children’s mental health.

We aid families in starting difficult conversations. We support early intervention and help increase awareness and understanding, providing more families with the tools and resources they need to raise healthy and resilient children.

Thanks to Optimist Clubs, The Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation and generous community sponsors, this program is available to families at no cost.

If you are interested in obtaining a program, or would like to send a  program to someone else, please contact us!