In-Person: Mindful Kids Series
with Nicole Javanna Johnson
Featuring her children’s book Look Up Melvin
Sunday, March 8th, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:30pm ET
Location: New York Insight at 115 West 29th Street, 12th Floor
New York Insight Meditation Center invites you to our third 2026 INSIGHT FAMILY PROGRAM — a series of monthly gatherings for parents, caregivers and children!
We are thrilled to continue the series with an afternoon of storytime and sharing with author Nicole Johnson. Nicole will be introducing her new children’s book, Look Up Melvin by Nicole Johnson, a heartfelt journey of healing and self-discovery. After listening to a read aloud of Melvin, children will have the chance to engage in a mindful art and play while parents gather with Nicole to discuss meeting the joys and challenges of family life with mindfulness. There will be time for sharing and mindful snacks after the two groups come back together.
NYI offers monthly events for families to gather and engage mindfully with different themes, like kindness, courage and peacemaking. Each month’s gathering will feature a mix of storytelling or read-alouds by authors, as well as mindful movement, dialogue, meditation and play. We will begin in one big group for a check in, listen to storytelling, and explore the monthly theme together. Afterwards, children are invited to meet with teachers, work on an art project, experience the joy of community, spaciousness and mindful play.
Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to meditate together and participate in a dialogue guided by a dharma teacher to explore the joys and challenges of parenting.
View our flyer for dates and details about other sessions in this series:
Mindful Kids Series – January-May 2026
Look Up Melvin
In the wake of a devastating storm that floods her family’s beloved beachside studio, 10-year-old Melvin embarks on a heartfelt journey of healing and self-discovery with the support of her artistic family, ultimately finding solace and courage to reconnect with her passion for painting—and the ocean—through the magic of gratitude and imagination.
Registration:
The recommended child age range for this program is 4 – 15. One adult per family may attend free. For example, if two adults and two children will be attending from your family, please select 2 Child tickets and 1 Additional Adult ticket.
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Volunteering
All of our programs rely on volunteers to support our teachers and staff with various tasks and responsibilities. Volunteering allows you to participate in our programs at no cost. To inquire about volunteering opportunities, please fill out our inquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Teacher(s)
Dr. Nicole Javanna Johnson
Dr. Nicole Javanna Johnson is the Founder and Creative Director of the Harriet Tubman Effect Institute, a human resource center for justice advocacy, participatory action research, and empathy-driven strategy. Through immersive storytelling across animation, music, writing, and visual art, her work bridges historical wisdom with emerging possibilities to cultivate healing, justice, and collective imagination.