The READY Fantastic Feelings First Aid Cards provide a creative way for children to understand and manage various emotions. Each card in the set is dedicated to a specific feeling, like anxiety, sadness, anger, or loneliness, and includes simple strategies for self-regulation and emotional relief. By using relatable language and engaging illustrations, these cards empower children to handle challenging emotions in a healthy, proactive way.
Key Features:
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Emotional Awareness and Normalisation:
- Each card starts by acknowledging that all feelings are normal and experienced by everyone. Children learn that emotions like anxiety, anger, or jealousy are natural, reducing any shame associated with them.
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Actionable “First Aid” Strategies:
- Each card offers specific, easy-to-follow steps for managing the emotion. For example:
- Anxiety: Engage in deep breathing, exercise, or talk to a trusted person.
- Anger: Walk away, count to ten, or imagine a “safe place” in their mind.
- Sadness: Spend time in nature, listen to music, or talk to someone.
- Each card offers specific, easy-to-follow steps for managing the emotion. For example:
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Promotes Self-Expression:
- Children are encouraged to express their feelings by talking, drawing, or writing. This self-expression helps them process emotions and understand their experiences.
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Encouragement for Supportive Friendships:
- The cards also include tips for supporting friends with difficult emotions, encouraging empathy and good listening skills. Suggestions include listening carefully, not sharing sensitive information, and enjoying positive activities together.
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Building a Personal “First Aid Kit”:
- The resource suggests creating a personalised “First Aid Kit” filled with tools and strategies that resonate with each child. Children can decorate a box or jar to hold these cards and other comforting items.
The READY Fantastic Feelings First Aid Cards are an ideal tool for educators, parents, and therapists who want to help children build emotional resilience. By offering practical tools to handle a range of emotions, these cards support children in developing healthy coping mechanisms and reinforce the message that no one is alone in their feelings.
