"Big Feelings" is a set of cards created with care for what is especially important in childhood: feelings and the ability to understand oneself.
Maryna Khaliman
Cards that help children feel and understand themselves
EN
2000+
books read
25+
years in science and business
Counselling
1000+
From the author
With warmth and respect,
Maryna Khaliman
Maryna Khaliman
Ever since I was a little girl, I've been very acutely sensitive. But my emotions were never just experiences - they always led to action. I intuitively searched my feelings not only for meaning, but also for power. The power to change something, to create, to support, to be there for me.
I didn't analyze tears - I sought to understand how to make things warmer around me. I didn't just feel love - I wanted to share it. It's always been important to me to create. And everything I do in my life, I create out of love: for people, for children, for the future.
When I started studying philosophy and psychology, I realized that all life is a path between suffering and pleasure. And each person makes this choice through his or her attitude to feelings. Through the ability to recognize, to name, to express. When we teach this to our children, we are not just giving them knowledge - we are giving them a support for life.
I am a mom of three children and a grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren. And it was they who inspired me to create this project. These are not just cards. They are the result of my many years of professional work with people, love for my loved ones and a sincere desire to do something important for others.
These cards are not just for children. They are for parents, psychologists, speech therapists, teachers, nannies. For everyone who wants to be there for each other and build relationships based on trust, understanding and respect. It's a tool to help start an important conversation. With yourself and with your child.
If we want children to grow up aware, resilient and open to the world, we need to give them the language of emotions. And you don't need to be a psychologist to do that - you just need to be a person who is willing to listen and hear.
I didn't analyze tears - I sought to understand how to make things warmer around me. I didn't just feel love - I wanted to share it. It's always been important to me to create. And everything I do in my life, I create out of love: for people, for children, for the future.
When I started studying philosophy and psychology, I realized that all life is a path between suffering and pleasure. And each person makes this choice through his or her attitude to feelings. Through the ability to recognize, to name, to express. When we teach this to our children, we are not just giving them knowledge - we are giving them a support for life.
I am a mom of three children and a grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren. And it was they who inspired me to create this project. These are not just cards. They are the result of my many years of professional work with people, love for my loved ones and a sincere desire to do something important for others.
These cards are not just for children. They are for parents, psychologists, speech therapists, teachers, nannies. For everyone who wants to be there for each other and build relationships based on trust, understanding and respect. It's a tool to help start an important conversation. With yourself and with your child.
If we want children to grow up aware, resilient and open to the world, we need to give them the language of emotions. And you don't need to be a psychologist to do that - you just need to be a person who is willing to listen and hear.
psychologist, PhD, mother, grandmother and creator of the project "Big Feelings"
PROJECT BIG FEELINGS ©
Big Feelings is a beautifully illustrated deck of 39 emotional literacy cards for children aged 3–13+ and their grown-ups. Each card helps children recognize and name a feeling, while the back offers simple, age-appropriate tools to process and accept that emotion. These cards create a space for meaningful connection and conversation between children and adults.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, therapist, or carer — this set will help you talk about what truly matters: emotions. Because understanding emotions isn’t just helpful — it’s essential for life.
Project Story
Why this project matters:
Many adults weren’t taught how to recognize or name their feelings — let alone how to help a child do it. Emotional literacy is not a luxury. It’s the foundation of healthy relationships, inner stability, and self-worth. And yet, it’s often overlooked.
Big Feelings is a deeply personal and socially significant project. Each card opens a little emotional door: on one side, a feeling like joy, anger, shame, hope, or loneliness is brought to life through a relatable image and child-friendly world.
On the other side, there are simple prompts and ideas to help children understand and navigate what they’re feeling.
These cards were created to support meaningful emotional development at home, in classrooms, and in therapy sessions. They're designed not just to be looked at, but to be lived with — again and again.
The set is divided into 4 emotional blocks:
Whether you're a parent, teacher, therapist, or carer — this set will help you talk about what truly matters: emotions. Because understanding emotions isn’t just helpful — it’s essential for life.
Project Story
Why this project matters:
Many adults weren’t taught how to recognize or name their feelings — let alone how to help a child do it. Emotional literacy is not a luxury. It’s the foundation of healthy relationships, inner stability, and self-worth. And yet, it’s often overlooked.
Big Feelings is a deeply personal and socially significant project. Each card opens a little emotional door: on one side, a feeling like joy, anger, shame, hope, or loneliness is brought to life through a relatable image and child-friendly world.
On the other side, there are simple prompts and ideas to help children understand and navigate what they’re feeling.
These cards were created to support meaningful emotional development at home, in classrooms, and in therapy sessions. They're designed not just to be looked at, but to be lived with — again and again.
The set is divided into 4 emotional blocks:
- Core Emotions (like Joy, Anger, Sadness...)
- Complex/Social Emotions (like Shame, Jealousy, Pride...)
- Subtle Positive Emotions (like Tenderness, Friendship, Gratitude...)
- Vulnerable States (like Loneliness, Stress, Disappointment...)
Why it this important: psychology and scientific rationale
Emotions are navigation
Emotions are not whims or “bad behavior.” They are signals that help children understand what is happening inside them and around them.
If children do not understand their feelings, they cannot control themselves, build healthy relationships, or protect their boundaries.
Emotional intelligence is a key skill for the 21st century
The ability to recognize, name, and express emotions is directly related to:
• stress resilience
• learning ability
• leadership qualities
• the ability to negotiate and be part of a team
Children learn from adults
Children do not read words, but rather the state of adults. When we ourselves are able to talk about feelings calmly and clearly, children learn to do the same.
Cards become a “bridge” — they simplify this conversation, making it natural and relaxed.
The earlier, the better
Research shows that the emotional vocabulary formed between the ages of 3 and 6 becomes the basis for regulating behavior and forming self-esteem.
How Big Feelings cards help develop a child's brain
The development of emotional intelligence is directly linked to brain function. When a child learns to recognize, name, and express emotions, they don't just “become aware” — they form healthy neural architecture that affects their entire life.
Emotions are navigation
Emotions are not whims or “bad behavior.” They are signals that help children understand what is happening inside them and around them.
If children do not understand their feelings, they cannot control themselves, build healthy relationships, or protect their boundaries.
Emotional intelligence is a key skill for the 21st century
The ability to recognize, name, and express emotions is directly related to:
• stress resilience
• learning ability
• leadership qualities
• the ability to negotiate and be part of a team
Children learn from adults
Children do not read words, but rather the state of adults. When we ourselves are able to talk about feelings calmly and clearly, children learn to do the same.
Cards become a “bridge” — they simplify this conversation, making it natural and relaxed.
The earlier, the better
Research shows that the emotional vocabulary formed between the ages of 3 and 6 becomes the basis for regulating behavior and forming self-esteem.
How Big Feelings cards help develop a child's brain
The development of emotional intelligence is directly linked to brain function. When a child learns to recognize, name, and express emotions, they don't just “become aware” — they form healthy neural architecture that affects their entire life.
How Big Feelings cards help develop a child's brain
how it works:
how it works:
The development of emotional intelligence is directly linked to brain function. When a child learns to recognize, name, and express emotions, they don't just “become aware” — they form healthy neural architecture that affects their entire life.
-
Development of the prefrontal cortexThis area of the brain is responsible for self-regulation, planning, and decision-making. When a child names their feelings (“I'm angry,” “I'm hurt”), they activate this area — learning to control their impulses and understand their actions. -
Strengthening the connection between the hemispheresThe left hemisphere is logic and words. The right hemisphere is emotions and images.
The “Big Feelings” cards connect them: the child sees a picture (right hemisphere) and says what they feel (left hemisphere). This strengthens brain integration. -
Reducing stress levelsWhen a feeling is named, it becomes less frightening. The child feels secure: “I am understood,” “I am not alone.” This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and the body calms down. -
Building an emotional vocabularyThe richer the vocabulary of emotions, the easier it is to express oneself.
The cards help the child distinguish between not just “bad” and “I am disappointed” or “I am confused.” This is a skill that increases confidence and reduces aggression in the future. -
Creating support for adultsNot all parents know how to talk about feelings. The cards serve as a bridge — they facilitate conversation, help you stay focused, and be there for your child, even when it's difficult for you.
Curiosity about life in all its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.
How the deck is structured and how to use it
(structure, colors, and meaning)
(structure, colors, and meaning)
The Big Feelings deck consists of 39 cards divided into 4 thematic blocks. Each block is not just a collection of emotions, but a purposeful immersion into different levels of a child's inner world.
Basic emotions (7 cards)
Color scheme: bright, saturated
Age focus: from 3 years old
Examples: Joy, Fear, Anger, Sadness, Surprise
👉 These emotions are easily recognizable even by toddlers.
They are the starting point for the development of emotional intelligence.
Color scheme: bright, saturated
Age focus: from 3 years old
Examples: Joy, Fear, Anger, Sadness, Surprise
👉 These emotions are easily recognizable even by toddlers.
They are the starting point for the development of emotional intelligence.
Social and complex feelings (12 cards)
Color scheme: softer and more complex shades
Age focus: from 5 years old
Examples: Resentment, Shame, Guilt, Envy, Confidence
👉 These feelings are formed through contact with other people.
They require self-awareness in a group and initial reflection.
Color scheme: softer and more complex shades
Age focus: from 5 years old
Examples: Resentment, Shame, Guilt, Envy, Confidence
👉 These feelings are formed through contact with other people.
They require self-awareness in a group and initial reflection.
Positive subtle states (10 cards)
Color scheme: light, warm, enveloping
Age focus: 6–7 years old
Examples: Friendship, Tenderness, Love, Inspiration, Gratitude
👉 These feelings provide resources, support inner strength, and teach us to care for ourselves and others.
Color scheme: light, warm, enveloping
Age focus: 6–7 years old
Examples: Friendship, Tenderness, Love, Inspiration, Gratitude
👉 These feelings provide resources, support inner strength, and teach us to care for ourselves and others.
Vulnerable and difficult states (10 cards)
Color scheme: deep, muted, complex
Age focus: 7–8 years and older
Examples: Anxiety, Confusion, Stress, Loneliness
👉 These cards help to talk about things that are usually kept silent. This is the key to psychological resilience.
Color scheme: deep, muted, complex
Age focus: 7–8 years and older
Examples: Anxiety, Confusion, Stress, Loneliness
👉 These cards help to talk about things that are usually kept silent. This is the key to psychological resilience.
• Choose a card with your child — based on their mood, the situation, or just at random.
• Read both sides together: how the emotion feels and what you can do about it.
• Discuss: have you felt this emotion before? How can you deal with it? What helps?
• Use the visual images on the card as a starting point for conversation.
• Take your time. The cards work even when they are simply displayed in a visible place.
• Read both sides together: how the emotion feels and what you can do about it.
• Discuss: have you felt this emotion before? How can you deal with it? What helps?
• Use the visual images on the card as a starting point for conversation.
• Take your time. The cards work even when they are simply displayed in a visible place.
• It gives a sense of consistency without being overwhelming.
• It helps to gradually expand the child's emotional vocabulary.
• It allows the cards to be used in psychological games, group work, and art therapy.
• It helps to gradually expand the child's emotional vocabulary.
• It allows the cards to be used in psychological games, group work, and art therapy.
1
2
3
4
How to use:
Why it is important to follow the structure: