"At Big World of Little Dude, we are driven by the belief that nurturing the social and emotional well-being of children is paramount to building a brighter future. We have created this platform to make social-emotional learning accessible to every child and family, serving as a guiding light for parents and teachers alike. Together, let's forge a path where every child thrives, learns, and flourishes, equipped with the indispensable skills of resilience, empathy, and limitless potential."
- Cara Zelas, Founder of Big World of Little Dude
OUR STORY
Big World of Little Dude was born out of a transformative experience I had while volunteering with Little Dude, my therapy dog, through The Good Dog Foundation. It was during this time that I discovered the incredible power of kindness – that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on others. Inspired by this realization, I started bringing Little Dude into an early childhood classroom to teach children about the importance of kindness. This experience sparked a deep interest in social and emotional learning for young children, leading me on a journey of research and exploration.
Through my research, I discovered that kindness and other social and emotional skills can be nurtured and taught. Driven by this revelation, I began writing books and developing curricula that focus on social and emotional themes for families and teachers. In 2015, Big World of Little Dude was born!
Our mission at Big World of Little Dude is to provide support and resources to empower caregivers and educators to foster social and emotional development in the little humans in their lives.
Through my research, I discovered that kindness and other social and emotional skills can be nurtured and taught. Driven by this revelation, I began writing books and developing curricula that focus on social and emotional themes for families and teachers. In 2015, Big World of Little Dude was born!
OUR MISSION
To empower children with confidence and kindness. We provide the tools and resources to help every child make a positive impact on the world. Research-Based Approach: Big World of Little Dude is built on CASEL's five core competencies. Our books and the humanKIND Curriculum are rigorously tested in diverse classrooms, integrating SEL with academics for a holistic learning experience.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Hi! I'm Cara Zelas. I'm an early childhood educator and have a passion for helping young children thrive. I hold a Bachelor of Media Communications and a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. Additionally, I'm a certified Early Childhood Montessori teacher (AMS) from West Side Montessori School in New York City.
As a parent of two wonderful children, I've witnessed the transformative power of kindness through Little Dude's presence in our lives. Little Dude has taught invaluable lessons and touched countless children's hearts, spreading the message that being kind to others is truly contagious.
