Over the past decade, DHIFI’s “Flaunt It” programs have reached hundreds of thousands of youth nationwide. Flaunt It programs are proven, successful social-emotional learning (SEL) and community building programs for kids and teens that build self-confidence, empathy and healthy relationship skills while encouraging important, relevant dialogue about people’s visible and invisible differences. DHIFI has brought this programming to dozens of elementary, middle and high schools across the country through in-person and virtual presentations followed by teacher-led Flaunt It activities.
Flaunt It programs were developed in collaboration with leading educators and child psychologists and include guidance and / or a lesson plan for teachers, follow-on activities for students run by teachers and a “Share Forum” to share students’ flaunts within the classroom and / or larger school community. Resources and guidance for Flaunt It programs care provided by DHIFI to school personnel. Flaunt It programs can be customized to meet specific objectives of individual schools or districts.
Program Overview
Kids Flaunt is DHIFI’s signature education program and includes a full lesson plan about differences, with follow-up writing or art activity inspired by the DHIFI theme “the things that make me different make me, me.” Kids Flaunt simultaneously builds social-emotional learning skills and reinforces language arts and visual arts capabilities.
Kids Flaunt’s central themes focus on acceptance and empathy in the classroom and beyond. Teachers can access materials through DHIFI such as an instructive video and lesson plan to enable them to teach students to accept and embrace the visible and invisible differences of themselves and their peers and empathize with one another.
Most importantly, students are provided the tools and engaged experience that help them learn to celebrate what makes them unique. For example, students brainstorm about their unique qualities and complete DHIFI’s signature peacock activity sheet. Afterwards, they choose one trait that they want to “flaunt” through an art or writing project, which they complete with support and guidance from teachers. At the conclusion of the Kids Flaunt activity, teachers and students may opt to share their efforts within the classroom in a “Share Forum”, with kids in younger grades and / or the broader school community for purposes of further promoting empathy, acceptance and belonging in the classroom and beyond.
Sample Kids Flaunt Essays and Artwork
Program Overview
Project Flaunt® is a photography / art and writing based social-emotional learning and community-building program designed for middle and high school students. Project Flaunt empowers teens by driving dialogue among them and their community about what makes each of us unique. Teens also learn to empathize with their peers and celebrate each others’ differences.
Project Flaunt begins with a discussion among teachers and students, based upon guidance provided by DHIFI, about visible and invisible differences and what makes each of us unique. Then, students work with teachers to identify a unique personal trait they want to “flaunt”.
Project Flaunt begins with a discussion among teachers and students, based upon guidance provided by DHIFI, about visible and invisible differences and what makes each of us unique. Then, students work with teachers to identify a unique personal trait they want to “flaunt”. Each teen creates a photographic or artistic representation and accompanying artist’s statement depicting his or her unique quality. These “flaunts” are compiled into a public montage / exhibit. Finally, teachers lead a discussion among the participants investigating what they learned about themselves, what they learned about one another and why they feel more confident and empowered.
Check out this video showing how one partner school made Project Flaunt® a success!
Sample Project Flaunt Artwork
The projects are truly remarkable. Teachers and students alike were swarmed about the bulletin boards and are amazed!
These [flaunts] are absolutely beautiful and moving. Congratulations to all who worked on this incredible project.
As Graham Nash said on his album Songs for Beginners, ‘Be yourself, free yourself’. Thanks for implementing a project that supports this wisdom.
The DHIFI program has truly brought our community of students together to celebrate and accept both visible and invisible differences. Every student in the auditorium the day of Mrs. Zucker’s presentation was inspired and in awe of her message. Because of DHIFI, the students at Frank R. Conwell PS#3 are more confident in their own skin and kinder to one another. We cannot thank Mrs. Zucker and her team enough!
I love the idea of kids acknowledging their differences and LOVING to flaunt them instead of hiding/being embarrassed by them.
My students now talk about being different and can explain to me why it is okay not to be who people expect you to be.
I really appreciated that students had the opportunity to discuss the different types of differences and were provided a safe space to begin exploring their own differences.
Roman’s apprehension to share his challenges …had been based on fear that setting himself up as ’different’ would be more embarrassing than beneficial. But his fear visibly turned to pride as he was writing … He found a new sense of confidence.
It’s an honor to partner with an organization that brings light and support to children and adults with visible and invisible differences and to bring their important message to our school community.
FAQ
DHIFI School Programs—branded as “Flaunt It” programs—are proven social-emotional learning (SEL) and community-building initiatives for elementary, middle, and high school students. Over the past decade they’ve reached hundreds of thousands of youth through in-person and virtual presentations coupled with teacher-led activities that encourage dialogue about visible and invisible differences while building self-confidence, empathy, and healthy relationship skills.
SEL stands for Social-Emotional Learning. It’s a research-backed framework—articulated by CASEL—that develops five core competencies in students:
- Self-awareness
- Social awareness
- Relationship skills
- Self-management
- Responsible decision-making
These competencies foster emotional intelligence, empathy, and respectful engagement among young people.
By weaving SEL into classroom activities, DHIFI programs help students:
- Build self-confidence through celebrating what makes them unique
- Develop empathy by understanding peers’ visible and invisible differences
- Gain healthy relationship skills via collaborative, guided lessons
- Engage in important dialogue that reduces bias and strengthens community
Together, these outcomes support both emotional growth and academic engagement
DHIFI partners with each school to tailor programming to specific district or school objectives. School Programs may include:
- Guidance and lesson plans for teachers
- Follow-on activities run by classroom staff
- A “Share Forum” for showcasing student work
Programs can be delivered either in person or virtually, ensuring flexibility for all learning environments
- Kids Flaunt (ages 5–11)
- Full lesson plan on differences
- Follow-up writing or art activity using the DHIFI peacock sheet
- “Share Forum” for classroom and school-wide sharing
- Project Flaunt® (ages 12–17)
- Photography, art, and writing-based SEL module
- Student-led trait exploration and artist’s statement
- Public montage/exhibit followed by reflective discussion
Simply fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page with your name, email, organization, phone, and message. The DHIFI team will follow up to customize and schedule your in-person or virtual program.
Over the past decade, DHIFI’s “Flaunt It” School Programs have engaged elementary, middle, and high school students in inclusion programs for schools that celebrate both visible and invisible differences. Through dynamic presentations and teacher-led activities, students explore what makes them unique, build confidence, and learn to recognize and honor diversity within their own classrooms and school communities.
SEL Programs for Schools & Emotional Support Activities for Schools
Built on the CASEL framework, DHIFI’s SEL programs for schools develop five core competencies—self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, self-management, and responsible decision-making—through interactive lessons and follow-on exercises. These emotional support activities for schools include guided discussions, art and writing modules, and structured “Share Forums” that reinforce empathy and equip students with tools to manage emotions, resolve conflict, and support one another.
Bullying Awareness Programs for Schools
At DHIFI, our emphasis on empathy, respect, and celebrating differences serves as a powerful basis for our bullying awareness programs for schools. In Project Flaunt® and Kids Flaunt, students create art and writing projects that highlight their unique strengths, then engage in reflective discussions—practices that strengthen peer connections, reduce exclusion, and foster a school culture where hurtful behavior is less likely to take root.
Further Reading:
SEL Activities For Schools
Social Emotional Learning Program For Elementary Schools
Bullying Prevention Training For Schools
Disability Acceptance Workshops For Educators
Emotional Support Workshop For Students
SEL Programs School Assemblies
Emotional Support Program For Schools
