What people are saying...
Lynn Fisher, Founder, West Side Montessori School
It has been almost eight years since Nana Bananas, aka Debbie Smith, brought her message of empowerment for kids to West Side Montessori in Toledo, Ohio. A parent of two former students at West Side, Debbie was known by our teachers as a warm, caring, outgoing, positive person. As Nana Bananas, Debbie returned to captivate the children and speak directly to their hearts. She understands children’s fears and they respond to her with openness and trust. Nana Bananas is committed to helping young children deal with the stressors and negative aspects of their lives through a program that is upbeat and entertaining but most of all reassuring. Her goal is to help all children feel good about themselves. I highly recommend Debbie and her alter ego as a person who will bring joy to any school setting and hopefully speak directly to the children who need her message the most.
Lauren Smith, Mentor and Advisor
Every school should have the Nana Bananas’ Happy Kids (NBHK) program! Through powerful lessons on mindfulness, NBHK teaches kids to understand and manage not only their own emotions but also the emotions of those they interact with. Meditation practices encourage self-reflection and present new channels for dealing with conflict. NBHK creates happy, emotionally intelligent kids who learn to spread joy and kindness wherever they go.
Carmen Ross, Parent
Nana Bananas’ Happy Kidshave fun learning new skillsthat empower them to develop focused awareness, gain confidence, believe in themselves, dream big and usetheir powerful imagination to assist them inmanaging emotions and strengthening theiremotional intelligence.
Jo Coleman, Counselor
Children absolutely love this program! Nana Bananas’ Happy Kids shows kidshow to develop their social and emotional well-being. The tools children are given sharpen their ability to radiate positivecharacter attributes like confidence, patience, concentration, self-esteem, happiness and self-awareness.
John and Keshia G., Parents
Nana Bananas’ Happy Kids is a wonderful program that our 3 children (ages 2, 4, and 9) equally enjoy! They connected with Debbie instantly, and looked forward to every session. Our children were focused, engaged, and interactive the entire time! She played right along with them, which was so fun to see. They learned new skills to help them cope with common stresses all while having fun. Her positivity is contagious, and we could all benefit from that! We would definitely recommend this program.
Kelli Coleman, Parent
Through NBHK, kids learn they are extraordinary! For my young daughter, focused awareness practices encouraged self-reflection and presented new channels for dealing with conflict. NBHK creates happy, emotionally intelligent kids who learn to use tools that bring them success in school and in their daily lives.
Roxanne Whitter, Counselor
NBHK is a happy, energy-filled program where kids are entertained through music,movement, and educational games. They think they are just having fun, but they’re also absorbingimportant life skills with little effort and plenty of enthusiasm.