No one likes me. I’m so stupid. I can’t do anything right. These are thoughts kids—and, let’s face it, adults—can sometimes have when emotions run high and are about to boil over. In an effort to promote healthier, positive self-talk from a young age, mom and special education teacher Deanna Blasi DeAndino ’15M developed the Mindset Tapestry, a wall-hanging daily affirmation chart for kids.

Each day, children choose an affirmation tag, attach it to the mirror, and recite it aloud. Parents are provided with corresponding cards that help explain the affirmation’s meaning and ways to reinforce it through guided discussion. “The tool is meant to instill confidence and self-esteem so the child can build a strong inner voice,” DeAndino says.

The Mindset Tapestry is based on DeAndino’s expertise as a special education teacher, perspective as a mom, and firsthand experience with the power of positive affirmations.

Weaving the Tapestry

In 2022, DeAndino was struggling. Pregnant with her second child, she was also raising a two-year-old and working full-time as a third grade special education teacher. “I wasn’t okay,” she admits. “I started doing positive affirmations during my commute to get into a better mindset, and that’s how I came up with the idea for the Mindset Tapestry.”

At first, she didn’t plan to turn the idea into a product. But when she contracted COVID-19 and had to isolate for several days, she ordered materials, crafted a rough prototype, and placed it on her mirror. “By the time I had my son and was going through postpartum depression, I felt this prototype staring at me every day,” she says. So, during her maternity leave, she decided to turn the idea into a business.

By the time she returned to teaching, DeAndino had begun consulting lawyers about patents and was working on manufacturer drawings when she learned she would be reassigned to first grade. “That wasn’t going to work for me,” she says. “I took it as a sign it was time for a new chapter.”

She left teaching that June and committed to launching the Mindset Tapestry by the holidays. At a small business event held by Monmouth’s Center for Entrepreneurship, she instantly connected with director Alison Gilbert, who became a mentor and helped her recruit a marketing intern to grow the brand. “She loved the product, and we had monthly calls to brainstorm and track my progress,” says DeAndino.

Today, the Mindset Tapestry is available online and in select Monmouth County stores. In addition to growing the business, DeAndino is focused on collaborating with like-minded brands and developing a mini-curriculum to help teachers incorporate the Mindset Tapestry into their classrooms.

“Our bigger vision is to become an educational toy brand that shapes how kids see themselves and interact with others,” she says. “It took a lot of confidence to make this leap and, in a way, it’s come full circle with what the Mindset Tapestry does for children. I needed the same positive self-talk to leave my tenure-track job with two kids, and it’s been an incredibly empowering experience.”

Three Steps to a Mindset Reset

DeAndino’s “Three Ms,” — a set of mindset practices suitable for any age.

Mirror Talk — Repeating positive statements while looking at yourself in the mirror creates a deep connection, signaling that these words are powerful and hold truth,” says DeAndino. “I believe everyone—children and adults alike— should incorporate mirror work into their daily routine to cultivate self-love and belief.” Affirmations like “I am doing my best” or “I am growing” can work for adults, while the Mindset Tapestry offers kid-friendly versions such as “I am a bright light” or “I am loved.”

Movement — Whether it’s yoga, walking, or another form of exercise, moving the body can provide a powerful mood boost. “In today’s high-pressure world, we often carry emotional weight without realizing it, and movement is a healthy way to process and release that energy,” says DeAndino. Exercising outdoors offers added benefits as it increases vitamin D levels and boosts serotonin, enhancing the mind-body connection in a powerful way for a more positive mood.

Meditation — Meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting in silence. DeAndino ends her day with a 15-minute guided meditation that helps her visualize her future self, fuel her sense of purpose, and tap into her potential. “It’s just the right amount of time for me to relax, visualize, and end my day on a super positive and uplifting note,” she says. Meditation can also be activities like gardening, cooking, or being present with your children or pets. “Find what resonates with you and make it part of your routine,” she says.