🌈 How I Feel

🌈 What is the purpose of the How I Feel toolkit?

This toolkit helps children notice and share how they feel — calm, silly, cross, sad, brave, or mixed.
It gives them a speech‑optional way to express emotions without pressure to explain, justify, or “get it right.”
It also helps adults understand emotional states so they can respond with care, not correction.

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⏳ When should I use this tool?

You can use it during check‑ins, after emotional moments, or whenever a child seems unsure of their feelings.
It works beautifully during transitions, after regulation, or when a child needs help naming what’s happening inside.

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🫧 Does the child need to talk to use this tool?

No.
Children can point, choose, tap, or simply sit with the cards.
Silence is welcome.
The goal is to honour their emotional experience, not require verbal explanations.

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🪶 How do I introduce the cards without adding pressure?

Offer the cards gently and let the child lead.
You might say, “You can choose one if you want,” or simply place them nearby.
Avoid questions like “Why do you feel that way” — the card itself is the communication.

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🔍 What do the interpretations mean?

Each interpretation offers a possible meaning behind the child’s choice.
They are not assumptions or diagnoses — just gentle starting points to help adults respond supportively.
The child’s lived experience always comes first.

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🤲 How should I respond when a child chooses a card?

Respond with presence, not analysis.
If they choose Sad, offer comfort.
If they choose Cross, slow things down.
If they choose Silly, join in if invited.
If they choose Mixed, honour the complexity.
The goal is to meet the feeling, not fix it.

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🌱 What if a child chooses a feeling from a category I didn’t expect?

That’s completely valid.
Emotions don’t follow rules — a child may feel silly after crying, or calm after anger.
Their choice simply shows what feels true in that moment.

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🌈 Can I use this tool with neurodivergent children?

Yes — it was created with autistic and ADHD children in mind.
The cards support emotional literacy, sensory‑linked feelings, and non‑verbal communication.
They’re also helpful for any child who benefits from visual, gentle, low‑demand tools.

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🏫 Can this tool be used in schools, clinics, or therapy settings?

Absolutely.
It works well in classrooms, therapy rooms, waiting areas, and home environments.
It supports co‑regulation, emotional awareness, and child‑led communication across settings.

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🧩 What if a child chooses multiple cards?

That’s completely valid.
Emotions are layered — a child may feel brave and scared, silly and tired, or calm and sad.
Multiple choices simply show a fuller picture of their inner world.

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🤝 How does this toolkit support co‑regulation?

Many feelings reflect a need for presence, safety, or gentle connection.
Adults can support co‑regulation by offering calm, predictable, non‑intrusive presence.
The toolkit helps adults recognise when connection — not conversation — is what the child needs.

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🛋️ What if the child chooses a feeling that seems “too big” or “too small”?

All feelings are valid.
A child’s emotional scale may not match an adult’s expectations.
Honouring the feeling — without minimising or amplifying — builds trust and emotional safety.

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🌀 What if the child chooses “I don’t know”?

That’s a real feeling.
It often means the child needs time, space, or gentle presence.
You might say, “We can come back to this later,” and let them lead.