What this game is
Your child picks one picture card that matches how they feel right now. Sharing is optional. You reflect without correcting. The point is connection, not labeling. This simple structure creates a safe space for children to notice, express, and be seen—without pressure or performance.
Play the game
Open the game and choose a card together.
Game link coming soon.
Want to create your own cards? Start here
How to play
- Invite your child to pick one card for "right now."
- Pause and look at the picture together.
- Ask one gentle question (optional).
- Say thank you and end, or pick again.
Gentle prompts to try
- What made you pick this one?
- What do you notice in the picture?
- Do you want to tell me a little story about it?
- Do you want closeness, or space?
- Would a small reset help?
Why it helps
Picture-only helps before words are ready
Many children can recognize and express feelings through images, gesture, and story long before they can name them confidently. Visual cards give children a way to communicate inner experience without needing the "right" vocabulary. This honors developmental readiness and removes language as a barrier to connection.
No right answers protects emotional safety
When adults correct, quiz, or redirect a child's emotional expression, it can shut down sharing. Picture-only cards keep the experience low-pressure and child-led. The same image might mean different things to different children, and that's the point. Your role is to listen, not evaluate.
Co-regulation builds self-regulation
A calm adult presence—listening, reflecting, offering simple comfort—helps children learn how to regulate over time. Self-regulation doesn't develop in isolation. It grows through repeated experiences of being met with care when emotions feel big or confusing. This game creates that opportunity in small, manageable doses.
Small daily check-ins create big long-term change
Short, repeatable moments at arrival, after school, or bedtime are more effective than occasional big talks. Consistency builds trust. When check-ins become routine, children learn that their feelings are safe to share, and that adults will show up without judgment.
Skills children practice over time
- Self-awareness (noticing inner state)
- Communication (sharing through picture, gesture, or story)
- Empathy and perspective-taking (same picture, different meanings)
- Regulation readiness (pause + body cues)
- Repair readiness (talk before reacting)
Who this is for
Families
- Quick home check-ins
- Bedtime wind-downs
- Transitions and arrivals
- After big feelings or conflicts
Educators
- Arrival routine
- Circle time
- Small-group support
- Calm corner tool
Frequently asked questions
Do children need to name the feeling?
No. Naming is optional. Some children will name feelings, others will point, tell a story, or stay quiet. All responses are valid. The goal is noticing and connection, not vocabulary.
What if my child picks a surprising card?
Trust their choice. Children's inner worlds are complex, and they may pick cards for reasons you don't immediately understand. Your job is to listen and reflect, not decode or correct. If you're curious, ask gently: "Tell me about this one."
What if my child won't talk?
That's okay. Silence is also communication. You can reflect what you see: "You picked this one. I'm here if you want to talk, or we can just sit together." Emotional expression doesn't require words, and sometimes presence is enough.
Is this therapy?
No. This is an educational tool designed to support social-emotional learning through play. It is not therapy, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your child's wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional.
How often should we play?
As often as feels natural. Some families use it daily at bedtime. Others use it during transitions or after big feelings. There's no "right" frequency. Consistency matters more than duration.
Empathy Kids is an educational tool designed to support social-emotional learning through play. It is not therapy, diagnosis, or medical advice. If you have concerns about your child's wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional.