The Art Opening Minds Nutrients are more than just themes—they’re a framework for whole-person growth. Each Nutrient represents a powerful inner capacity that helps people navigate the world with resilience, clarity, and connection. Unlike fixed learning outcomes, these Nutrients are dynamic and evolving, showing up differently in each Participant based on their experiences and stage of life.

By structuring Classes around these six strengths, we invite growth that’s emotional, intellectual, social, and ethical—not just informational.

What Makes the AOM Nutrients Unique?

Most social-emotional learning frameworks separate skills into categories like “self-awareness” or “relationship skills.” At AOM, we’ve taken a different approach—one that reflects the complexity of lived experience. Instead of organizing by social context or functional goal, we center on internal capacities that can grow in balance with one another.

Each Nutrient is powerful on its own, and even more impactful when paired with its opposite on the AOM color wheel. Here’s a deeper look at each one:

Creativity

Not just artistic expression, but the ability to imagine new possibilities, generate ideas, and see beyond what currently exists. Creativity allows Participants to dream up better futures for themselves and their communities.

• How it shows up in Class: Making connections between unrelated ideas, offering personal interpretations, exploring identity
• Balance needed: Creativity without grounding can become chaotic—enter its partner…

Respect for Practical Constraints

This Nutrient honors the realities of time, resources, and structure. It teaches Participants how to work within real-world limits—without letting those limits diminish their sense of purpose or possibility.

• How it shows up in Class: Making realistic wellness plans, considering how systems impact personal choices, exploring barriers and trade-offs
• Balance needed: When paired with Creativity, it helps dreams take root.

Honest Self Reflection

This is the quiet, courageous process of noticing your own patterns, emotions, and beliefs without judgment. It builds self-awareness and accountability.

• How it shows up in Class: Journaling, identifying emotional reactions to films, connecting past experiences to present behavior
• Balance needed: Reflection alone can be isolating—its counterpart is essential…

Empathy

The ability to feel with others, to understand without needing to fix. Empathy is the bridge between internal awareness and external compassion.

• How it shows up in Class: Interpreting protagonists’ experiences, discussing differences with curiosity, practicing inclusive listening
• Balance needed: Empathy without reflection can lead to burnout. Together, they create grounded, connected presence.

Intellectual Honesty

This Nutrient supports truth-seeking. It’s the willingness to examine your own assumptions, consider new evidence, and change your mind when needed.

• How it shows up in Class: Challenging stereotypes, analyzing stories from multiple angles, sitting with discomfort
• Balance needed: On its own, it can feel untethered—its strength is deepened by…

Deep-Rooted Values

These are the internal commitments that help us navigate complexity with integrity. Values give us a sense of purpose and help anchor our actions.

• How it shows up in Class: Identifying what matters most, setting intentions, connecting personal growth to larger meaning
• Balance needed: Paired with Intellectual Honesty, values stay flexible and relevant—not rigid or unexamined.

Why This Framework Matters

Traditional SEL models are often linear and skill-based. The AOM Nutrients offer something more holistic and human. They allow for:

• Flexibility – Different strengths may show up at different times for different people
• Intersectionality – Growth can happen across multiple domains at once
• Self-direction – Participants interpret and apply the Nutrients in ways that are personally meaningful
• Sustainability – Rather than mastering a skill, Participants begin nurturing a lifelong internal resource

By engaging with Classes designed around these Nutrients, Participants don’t just “learn about mental health”—they grow into people who are more reflective, empathetic, honest, grounded, and creative in their lives and communities.