A Relationship-Based Learning Community
For Children And Families
Helping children build emotional awareness, confidence, and real-life skills through small, relationship-based group learning.
Supporting families in reinforcing these skills at home and beyond.
Guided by Connection, Not Control
A Different Kind of Learning Space
Our Philosophy
We believe growth doesn’t come from pressure or control—it grows through connection, support, and flexibility.
In nature, strength is not found in rigidity, but in the ability to adapt while staying deeply rooted. Children grow in much the same way.
When they feel safe, supported, and understood, they develop the internal strength to navigate challenges, build relationships, and respond to life with confidence.
At Building Up Oaks, we nurture that kind of growth—from the inside out.
Building Up Oaks is a small-group learning environment designed to support children’s social-emotional and executive functioning development.
We focus on connection first—because children grow best when they feel safe, seen, and supported
Rather than focusing on managing behavior in the moment, we support children in developing the internal skills that allow them to navigate emotions, relationships, and challenges with increasing independence.
What if we approached growth differently?
This short video beautifully illustrates the kind of resilience we aim to nurture in children.
Program Overview
Emotional Awareness & Regulation
Children learn to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions through developmentally appropriate strategies and guided support.
Social & Relationship Skills
Children practice communication, cooperation, boundary-setting, and perspective-taking within a supportive group environment.
Executive Functioning Skills
Children develop foundational skills such as impulse control, flexible thinking, problem-solving, and planning.
Building Up Oaks is a small-group program designed to support children’s social-emotional development, self-regulation, and executive functioning skills.
Through guided group experiences, children build the internal skills needed to navigate relationships, manage emotions, and respond to challenges with increasing independence.
Children build these skills through consistent, guided experiences within a supportive group environment.
Session Rhythm
While each session is thoughtfully guided, we remain responsive to the needs of the children in the moment.
Our time together weaves through five core elements:
Connect – building relationships and a sense of belonging
Regulate – supporting emotional awareness and calm (throughout the session)
Practice – engaging in real-life skill-building experiences
Share – communicating and learning from one another
Reflect – making meaning and building internal awareness
This rhythm is not rigid—children move through these elements in ways that honor their individual needs and experiences.
Connection Groups
Our small, mixed-age groups are intentionally designed to support both connection and skill development.
Informed by Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and Conscious Discipline, children build the skills needed to navigate relationships and challenges with confidence.
These groups offer children a space to:
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Build meaningful relationships
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Practice emotional regulation in real-time
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Grow in autonomy and confidence
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Experience a strong sense of belonging
A Living Learning Environment
Building Up Oaks focuses on helping children apply the skills they are developing to real-life situations.
Through guided experiences, children practice communication, flexibility, problem-solving, and social awareness in ways that carry into daily life.
The goal is not just learning within the group—but building skills that carry into daily life.
Instructional Approach
Instruction is intentionally delivered through a combination of:
– Small group interaction
– Guided play and experiential learning
– Structured activities and collaborative tasks
– Role-play and real-life scenarios
– Reflection and guided discussion
Sessions are intentionally designed to balance structure with responsiveness, allowing children to practice skills in real-time with support.
About the Facilitator
JoAnna Leon
Founder & Facilitator, Building Up Oaks
Building Up Oaks was founded by JoAnna Leon, whose work is rooted in helping children develop the internal skills needed to navigate relationships, emotions, and everyday challenges.
JoAnna brings over 20 years of experience in the speech and language field, working with children and families across a range of developmental needs. She is also a mother of two, which continues to shape and deepen her understanding of children, relationships, and development in everyday life.
Her work is grounded in a strong understanding of communication, emotional development, and the role of connection and safety in supporting growth over time.
She is trained in relational and trauma-informed approaches, including Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and Conscious Discipline. She has participated in the Empowered to Connect Conference (TBRI) and is currently completing training through the Conscious Discipline Institute, expected June 2026.
She has received additional training in abuse advocacy, supporting both victims and survivors. This work informs her commitment to creating environments rooted in safety, trust, and respect.
She is especially passionate about creating spaces where children feel both a sense of belonging and the freedom to grow into who they are.
Building Up Oaks grew from a desire to create the kind of environment where children—and the families who support them—can grow in both strength and connection.
Outside her professional work, JoAnna is also a mom to two daughters, and values creating a life centered around connection, play, and meaningful relationships
For Children and Parents
We believe growth happens not just within children—but within relationships.
When children feel understood and supported, they are better able to regulate, communicate, and navigate life with confidence.
We also offer guidance for parents, helping create consistency between what children practice in group and what they experience at home.
Initial 10-Week Session
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$495 per student (founding introductory rate)
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2-hour weekly sessions
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Small, consistent group experience
The initial 10-week session provides a strong foundation for children to build trust, develop social-emotional and executive functioning skills, and become comfortable within the group setting.
Ongoing Monthly Enrollment
Following the initial session, families will have the option to continue in an ongoing group:
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$195-$205 per month
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Weekly 2- hour sessions
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Consistent group with occasional openings
This ongoing model allows for deeper relationship-building and continued growth over time.
Additional Information
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Groups are formed with a minimum of 5 enrolled students
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Rates are thoughtfully set based on group size and facility considerations
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Building Up Oaks is an educational enrichment program and is not therapy
Coming Soon: Teen Groups (Ages 13–17)
While current groups are focused on ages 6–12, I’m also developing a teen version of Building Up Oaks. If you have a teen who might benefit from a space like this, I’d love to hear from you.
Program Details
Ages: 6-12
Group Size: 6–8 students
Schedule: Weekly sessions (2 hours each)
Location: Murrieta, CA
Program Fee & Enrollment
Building Up Oaks is offered in an initial 10-week session, with the next session anticipated to run September 14th-November 20th, followed by the option to continue in an ongoing monthly group.
