Portrait of Nicole Reap, early childhood educator and author of The Yet Set.
USA News feature graphic highlighting early childhood educator and author Nicole Reap (The Yet Set).
2025 Evergreen Award badge: Best Children’s Growth Mindset Author.

Meet Nicole Reap

Nicole Reap is an early childhood educator, author, and growth mindset advocate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in psychology. Nicole has written seven books, including six personal growth books for adults and Meet The Yet Set, her first children’s book.

Through The Yet Set, Nicole gives parents and educators practical language and tools to help young children build confidence, resilience, patience, courage, and teamwork.

Why I Created The Yet Set

They crumple their papers when the drawing doesn't look "right." They whisper "I can't" before even trying to build the block tower. They burst into tears during puzzle time, overwhelmed by the fear of failing.

And no matter how many times I told them, "It's okay to make mistakes", something deeper was missing.

That's when I discovered the power of a growth mindset—the transformational but straightforward idea that we can always improve with effort, practice, and the right strategies.

And I realized something important: If we wait until children are older to teach this, we've waited too long.

So I brought it into my own classroom—modeling it, naming it, celebrating every "I'm still learning" moment. I watched my preschoolers slowly shift from "I can't do it" to "I can't do it... YET."

I saw their confidence bloom—and their curiosity grow. And when I started sharing these tools with parents and fellow teachers, they asked the same question:

"Can I take this home with me?"

That's how The Yet Set was born.

I created a lovable crew of characters—Yeti, Blinky, Tully, and Buddy—each one designed to help children build resilience, regulate big feelings, and believe in themselves. These characters speak directly to kids in a way they understand, while giving grown-ups the tools to support them.

The Yet Set began with one children’s book and is growing into a collection of stories, activities, and resources for families and educators.

It's a movement.

A mindset.

A toolbox of support for the people who raise, teach, and love little learners.

Because I believe—just like Yeti says—

You just can't do it... YET.

And that's where the magic begins. ✨

Nicole Reap, early childhood educator and author of The Yet Set, reading with children in a classroom setting.

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR

Best Children's Growth Mindset Author in the United States

Evergreen Awards — 2025

Recognized for innovative approach to teaching resilience, emotional growth, and the power of mindset through storytelling. Nicole's work with The Yet Set transforms how children approach challenges and personal growth.

Read Full Recognition →

Nicole Reap, early childhood educator and author of The Yet Set, pictured with her children’s book.

Featured on

USA News Feature

How Nicole Reap is Shaping the Future of Education and Growth with The Yet Set

Featured for transforming early education through innovative storytelling that builds growth mindset in young children. The Yet Set equips educators and families with tools to help children embrace challenges and develop lifelong resilience.

Read Full Recognition →

Paxjones feature graphic highlighting early childhood educator and author Nicole Reap (The Yet Set).

Featured on

Paxjones Feature

How Nicole Reap is Shaping the Future of Education and Growth with The Yet Set

Featured for transforming early education through innovative storytelling that builds growth mindset in young children. The Yet Set equips educators and families with tools to help children embrace challenges and develop lifelong resilience.

Read Full Recognition →

Podcast Feature

What to Say When Your Child Says “I Can’t”

Early Childhood Growth Mindset Expert Nicole Reap

Nicole shares simple language parents and teachers can use to help children build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

Listen on Spotify
Podcast Feature

What to Say When Your Child Says “I Can’t”

Early Childhood Growth Mindset Expert Nicole Reap

Nicole shares simple language parents and teachers can use to help children build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

Listen on Spotify

Our Mission

🌱

For Children

To help every child develop the confidence, resilience, and curiosity they need to embrace challenges and believe in their ability to grow.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

For Parents

To provide tools, language, and support that make it easy to foster a growth mindset at home and celebrate the learning journey.

👩‍🏫

For Educators

To offer classroom-ready resources that align with social-emotional learning standards and create a culture where mistakes are valued as learning opportunities.

What We Believe

💪 Effort Over Perfection

We celebrate trying, practicing, and persisting—not just getting it right the first time.

🧡 Mistakes Are Learning

Every mistake is a chance to grow. We teach kids to see challenges as opportunities, not failures.

🌟 Progress Over Outcomes

Small steps forward matter. We focus on growth, not just achievement.

🤝 Community Matters

We're all in this together—parents, teachers, and caregivers supporting each other.

📚 Early Childhood is Critical

The foundations we build in the early years shape how children approach learning for life.

✨ Every Child Can Grow

We believe in the potential of every learner. They just can't do it... YET.

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