Big Feelings™ Professional use
Big Feelings™ is a structured, ready-to-use emotional awareness and regulation tool designed for work with children aged approximately 3-13+. The card set is used in educational, therapeutic, and family support contexts to support emotional literacy, expression, and acceptance.
A distinctive feature of Big Feelings™ is that all emotions are represented through the illustrated figure of the same character. Rather than using different characters for different emotions, the tool intentionally presents a single, recognisable figure experiencing a wide range of emotional states.
This design is based on the understanding that children form emotional meaning through identification and memory. When one consistent character is shown experiencing many different emotions, the child learns that a single person can legitimately experience a full emotional spectrum. Emotions are not separated into “different types of people” or externalised into unrelated images, but integrated into one coherent inner figure.
Research conducted during the development of Big Feelings™ has shown that this approach supports emotional learning and acceptance. Children more readily recognise emotions, remember them, and tolerate emotional complexity when emotions are presented through one continuous visual identity. The character becomes a symbolic container through which the child internalises the idea that having different emotions does not mean losing identity or worth.
This design is based on the understanding that children form emotional meaning through identification and memory. When one consistent character is shown experiencing many different emotions, the child learns that a single person can legitimately experience a full emotional spectrum. Emotions are not separated into “different types of people” or externalised into unrelated images, but integrated into one coherent inner figure.
Research conducted during the development of Big Feelings™ has shown that this approach supports emotional learning and acceptance. Children more readily recognise emotions, remember them, and tolerate emotional complexity when emotions are presented through one continuous visual identity. The character becomes a symbolic container through which the child internalises the idea that having different emotions does not mean losing identity or worth.
This visual continuity supports:
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Emotional memory and recognition -
Reduced emotional fragmentation -
Acceptance of emotional diversity within oneself -
Normalisation of emotional fluctuation -
A sense of internal coherence rather than emotional “splitting”
Each card represents one clearly defined emotional state and includes simple, supportive guidance on the reverse side. The approach is non-pathologising and child-centred. Emotions are not framed as “good” or “bad”, but as natural internal experiences that can be recognised, held, and worked through.
Big Feelings™ can be used in:
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Individual and group work with children (including classroom settings) -
Family support and parenting work -
SEND and inclusive education contexts -
Early intervention and wellbeing-focused programmes
The tool is particularly relevant for children experiencing emotional overload, anxiety, behavioural difficulties, neurodivergent profiles, or challenges with emotional expression and regulation.
Big Feelings™ is a completed professional resource and is currently being explored for practitioner feedback and potential pilot use within UK SEND, education, and family support settings.
Created by a psychologist and educator with extensive experience in child and family work.
Big Feelings™ is a completed professional resource and is currently being explored for practitioner feedback and potential pilot use within UK SEND, education, and family support settings.
Created by a psychologist and educator with extensive experience in child and family work.
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emotion cards
Designed by a psychologist, mom and PhD – to help children name, feel, and talk about their feelings.
For parents
For teachers
For therapists
Why Emotions Matter?
Children who can name emotions cope better.
Emotional vocabulary predicts future success.
A child who can understand himself grows up to be an adult who can understand the world.
How It Works?
Choose a card
1
2
3
Read and talk
Reflect, act or play
Card Showcase
For Whom
Use Cases
Morning routine
Bedtime talk
School circle
Difficult moments
Designed by Maryna Khaliman, psychologist, PhD in philosophy and mother of three.”
Based on neuroscience + emotional development models.
Testimonials
We have three children, and honestly — finding something that unites everyone and is truly helpful at the same time is almost impossible. But the Big Feelings cards turned out to be just that kind of miracle. They’re not just about emotions. They’re about us.
We started one evening — just to try. And suddenly, our youngest, only 5, began to share how he feels. And our 14-year-old daughter opened up and said she had wanted to talk about how hard things were at school.
We never thought talking about emotions could feel this natural. Thank you for creating something that helps us not just speak — but truly hear each other. It’s a remarkable discovery for any family.
2. “My son takes them to school”
Emily Watson, mother of 7-year-old Jack
I’m completely in love with Big Feelings! These cards aren’t just a tool — they’ve become our daily emotional ritual.
Jack adores them. He takes his favorite cards to school, shares them with friends, and even asks his teacher for time to show them to the class.
He’s started talking more about what he feels — before, he would just stay silent or get angry. Now he says things like, “I feel anxious today” or “I need to be alone for a while.”
It’s incredible how the illustrations and simple yet deep prompts helped him open up. And as a mother, I finally feel like I can truly be there for him.
We started one evening — just to try. And suddenly, our youngest, only 5, began to share how he feels. And our 14-year-old daughter opened up and said she had wanted to talk about how hard things were at school.
We never thought talking about emotions could feel this natural. Thank you for creating something that helps us not just speak — but truly hear each other. It’s a remarkable discovery for any family.
2. “My son takes them to school”
Emily Watson, mother of 7-year-old Jack
I’m completely in love with Big Feelings! These cards aren’t just a tool — they’ve become our daily emotional ritual.
Jack adores them. He takes his favorite cards to school, shares them with friends, and even asks his teacher for time to show them to the class.
He’s started talking more about what he feels — before, he would just stay silent or get angry. Now he says things like, “I feel anxious today” or “I need to be alone for a while.”
It’s incredible how the illustrations and simple yet deep prompts helped him open up. And as a mother, I finally feel like I can truly be there for him.
To be honest — we’re not psychologists and haven’t read any smart parenting books. We just tried our best. But the Big Feelings cards completely changed how we see childhood.
For the first time, we asked: what does our child really feel? And what about us?
When we started playing with the cards, something softened inside. We realized emotions aren’t enemies — they’re friends we just need to learn to listen to.
Now the cards sit on our table — like a board game, but for the heart. Thank you for this. It’s a truly meaningful gift for any family.
For the first time, we asked: what does our child really feel? And what about us?
When we started playing with the cards, something softened inside. We realized emotions aren’t enemies — they’re friends we just need to learn to listen to.
Now the cards sit on our table — like a board game, but for the heart. Thank you for this. It’s a truly meaningful gift for any family.
I bought the cards mainly for our younger daughter, Millie — she’s very sensitive and cries often, and I didn’t always know how to help.
But to our surprise, it was our teenage son Tom who really got curious. At first he laughed: “What are these cute pictures?” But then he started reading the descriptions, looking at the questions… and one day he said, “You know, I never thought anger could be about protection instead of aggression.”
We sat there in silence. I realized he was thinking, feeling, growing — and that I could walk alongside him, not pushing, just supporting.
Thank you for this gentle, meaningful product. It truly builds bridges — between ages, personalities, and even generations.
But to our surprise, it was our teenage son Tom who really got curious. At first he laughed: “What are these cute pictures?” But then he started reading the descriptions, looking at the questions… and one day he said, “You know, I never thought anger could be about protection instead of aggression.”
We sat there in silence. I realized he was thinking, feeling, growing — and that I could walk alongside him, not pushing, just supporting.
Thank you for this gentle, meaningful product. It truly builds bridges — between ages, personalities, and even generations.
Big Feelings cards have become something truly special in our home. At first we just tried them, but now we can’t imagine a single evening without them.
My husband and I didn’t grow up talking about emotions — it just wasn’t common. But now we have this time together where we sit down, pull a card, read, and talk.
Sometimes we laugh. Sometimes we cry. But every time, we leave feeling more connected.
The most touching part is how our kids are starting to use this in real life.
Just yesterday our daughter said, “Daddy, maybe you’re feeling frustrated, or just tired? I’ll wait and we can talk later.”
We looked at each other and realized — it’s already working.
This is more than a method. It’s a space where trust can grow.
My husband and I didn’t grow up talking about emotions — it just wasn’t common. But now we have this time together where we sit down, pull a card, read, and talk.
Sometimes we laugh. Sometimes we cry. But every time, we leave feeling more connected.
The most touching part is how our kids are starting to use this in real life.
Just yesterday our daughter said, “Daddy, maybe you’re feeling frustrated, or just tired? I’ll wait and we can talk later.”
We looked at each other and realized — it’s already working.
This is more than a method. It’s a space where trust can grow.
As a professional, I rarely come across a product that blends expertise, simplicity, and humanity so organically. And as a father — I’m just grateful.
The cards fit so naturally into play but carry deep meaning. They don’t lecture — they gently invite self-discovery.
It’s clear they were created with experience, insight, and most of all, soul.
My children (6 and 9) often ask to use them, and sometimes place a card on the table like a quiet signal: “I have something to say.”
That’s priceless. Thank you for offering a tool that matters — at home, in therapy, and in life.
The cards fit so naturally into play but carry deep meaning. They don’t lecture — they gently invite self-discovery.
It’s clear they were created with experience, insight, and most of all, soul.
My children (6 and 9) often ask to use them, and sometimes place a card on the table like a quiet signal: “I have something to say.”
That’s priceless. Thank you for offering a tool that matters — at home, in therapy, and in life.
The cards are suitable for children aged 3 to 13+.
Young kids will learn to recognize emotions through facial expressions and gestures, while older children can discuss complex feelings, share experiences, and explore coping strategies.
Young kids will learn to recognize emotions through facial expressions and gestures, while older children can discuss complex feelings, share experiences, and explore coping strategies.
No, you can choose cards based on the situation or the child’s interest. Sometimes a child will naturally reach for the emotion they’re feeling — that’s meaningful.
Simply look at the card together.
Name the emotion and share a time when you felt it. It’s important for children to see that adults struggle too — this builds trust.
Name the emotion and share a time when you felt it. It’s important for children to see that adults struggle too — this builds trust.
Use the cards as visual support: show facial expressions, gestures, and name the feelings. Even without words, the child is already learning to recognize emotional states.
Yes! They are a powerful tool for psychologists, teachers, and caregivers.
You can use the cards for discussions, role-playing, or emotion circles in the morning — they help build empathy and a supportive atmosphere.
You can use the cards for discussions, role-playing, or emotion circles in the morning — they help build empathy and a supportive atmosphere.
Just 5–10 minutes a day is enough. The key isn’t the format, but consistency and sincerity.
You can make it part of a bedtime routine or use the cards to reflect on events during the day.
You can make it part of a bedtime routine or use the cards to reflect on events during the day.