NMACC, Reliance Foundation launch ‘Emotions Lab’; programme to expand to schools, Anganwadis after Mumbai run
Over 100 children participated in the launch of the emotional learning initiative, which will remain open to the public until August 2.
The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), Reliance Foundation and Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar have launched 'Emotions Lab', an interactive learning programme focused on emotional literacy for children. The initiative, which organisers describe as the first of its kind in India, opened with participation from more than 100 children from NGOs supported by Reliance Foundation under its Education and Sports for All (ESA) programme. The exhibition will remain open to the public at NMACC until August 2, 2026.
The programme is designed for children aged 5-11 years and forms part of NMACC's annual Bachpan festival. Developed jointly by NMACC, Reliance Foundation and Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar, it uses interactive exhibits to introduce children to concepts of emotional literacy and social-emotional learning. Isha Ambani attended the inaugural session and interacted with participants during the launch.
Built around emotional intelligence framework
The exhibition incorporates the Mood Meter, a tool developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence under its RULER framework. Through a simplified adaptation, the programme introduces children to five emotional intelligence skills—recognising, understanding, labelling, expressing and regulating emotions.
During the opening ESA sessions, children participated in guided activities aimed at identifying emotions through facial expressions and body language, understanding emotional responses to everyday situations and developing communication and self-expression skills. The programme also included an art walk at NMACC.
National rollout planned after Mumbai exhibition
The organisers said the exhibition will be adapted for schools and Anganwadis after its Mumbai run, with a focus on underserved communities. The initiative is the second project under the Museum in Residence series after Light Atelier, which engaged more than 13,000 children in 2025.
"We believe learning should be an adventure driven by playfulness and curiosity. It is vital for children to learn emotional literacy and intelligence early in life, both inside and outside the classroom," Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Foundation, said, adding that the initiative aligns with the foundation's efforts to make learning experiences more accessible for children.
According to Reliance Foundation, its programmes have reached more than 97 million people across over 98,000 villages and urban locations in India.