Connection Practice Curriculum Information and Resource Page
Welcome to the Curriculum Course and the joy of bringing the Connection Practice to your students.
You can download the Curriculum Manual and its cover here:
We also recommend that you:
- Watch the three introductory videos
- Watch one or more of the demonstration videos based on your interest
- Watch the Part 1 Self-Study Course videos; week three is especially important for learning coherence and heart-brain insight (consider taking the self-study course with a coach to maximize your learning)
- Familiarize yourself with the other curriculum materials available by download
You can access all of the remaining materials below:
Three introductory videos
Why Use the Connection Practice?
Rita Marie describes the challenge of disconnection we are facing in today’s world
Curriculum Introduction
Rita Marie introduces the Connection Practice Boards and Curriculum
Curriculum Logistics
Kelsey describes the curriculum materials and how to use them
Kelsey describes the curriculum materials and how to use them
In lessons 1, 2, and 6, Kelsey refers to Person A and Person B. This language has been updated in the Manual and the Handouts and now refers to Speaker and Listener, which the students understand better. In addition, the numbering of the steps has been revised to match the numbering on the Boards, which also helped with clarity for students and teachers alike.
In lesson 1, Kelsey has the person give an Empathy Statement, which has been omitted to simplify the steps.
In lessons 3-6, the students make hand movements as a way to learn the Quick Coherence Technique. Although this may help students learn to reach coherence initially, the hand movements can be eliminated once the students know the steps because they can be distracting.
In lesson 3, the students learn how to achieve coherence using the emWave. You will see student’s scores in high coherence (green), medium coherence (blue) and low coherence (red).
In lesson 5, the teacher guessed that her daughter’s main need was “to belong;” however, the video did not capture that word, written on the white board, because the camera was focused on the teacher.
Lesson 1:
Naming Feelings & Needs Leads to Empathy
Lesson 2:
Empathy for Another Person
Lesson 3:
Quick Coherence Technique
Lesson 4:
Heart-Brain Insight
Lesson 5:
The Connection Practice Worksheet
Lesson 6:
The Connection Practice in Partners
Testimonials by Kelsey and the students
Demonstration videos
Demo: Coaching an Adult on an Inner Issue and a Celebration
Demo: Processing a Conflict on Your Own
Demo: Coaching a Young Person Through a Conflict
Demo: Processing a Family Conflict
Note: In these demonstrations, you will see participants closing their eyes and putting their hands on their hearts. We have found that when people are first learning the practice, this can help them focus more easily; however, it is optional.
General Handouts
Curriculum Handouts
- Letter to Parents
- Feelings & Needs List (for parents & students)
- Feelings & Needs Activity 2025 10-21 MB Final
- Feelings & Needs Activity 2025 10-21 MCB Final
- Smiling Heart Handout
- Heart-Brain Insight Worksheet
- Connection Practice Worksheet
- Connection Practice with a Partner 2025 07-23 MB Final
- Connection Practice with a Partner 2025 07-23 MCB Final
PowerPoint Slides, including the following slides
- Heart Rhythms
- Quick Coherence
- Heart-Brain Insight
- Gabriel
Form for Reporting Experiences Teaching the Curriculum
We are happy you have joined our connection family, and we hope that you will expand on your capacity to connect more deeply with yourself and others in your family, relationships, and profession.
We envision a world where every person practices the art of connection and passes this gift on.
~ Rita Marie Johnson, Founder and CEO