Emotion Cards

These printable cards feature facial expressions paired with emotion words. Use them to help Jacob recognize, name, and discuss different feelings.

Materials Needed:

• Cardstock or heavy paper
• Printer
• Scissors or paper cutter

How to Prepare:

1. Print the cards on cardstock.
2. Cut along the lines to create individual cards.
3. (Optional) Laminate for durability.

Cards (Cut one row per card):

| Card # | Emoji | Emotion | | Card # | Emoji | Emotion |
|--------|-------|------------| |--------|-------|------------|
| 1 | 😊 | Happy | | 6 | 😖 | Disgusted |
| 2 | 😢 | Sad | | 7 | 😃 | Excited |
| 3 | 😠 | Angry | | 8 | 😬 | Nervous |
| 4 | 😲 | Surprised | | 9 | 😤 | Frustrated |
| 5 | 😨 | Scared | | 10 | 😌 | Calm |

(If you’d like more practice, print a second copy to play a matching game.)

How to Use in Session:

1. Warm-Up Identification
   • Show one card at a time.
   • Ask Jacob: “What feeling is this?”
   • Encourage him to share a time he’s felt this way.
2. Sorting by Intensity
   • Lay cards face-up.
   • Have Jacob arrange them from calmest (😌 Calm) to most intense (😠 Angry or 😤 Frustrated).
3. Emotion Storytelling
   • Pick any card.
   • Prompt: “Tell me a short story about when you felt this emotion.”
4. Quick Cue for Check-Ins
   • Keep the cards handy.
   • Ask Jacob to point to the card that matches his feeling at any point during the session.

Next Steps

• Use these cards alongside Social Scenario Cards to role-play how different emotions might come up with peers.
• Revisit these cards when teaching coping strategies to link feelings with tools like deep breathing and positive self-talk.

Coping Strategy Posters

These posters feature four kid-friendly coping strategies with simple visuals and steps. Hang them where Jacob can see and refer to them during sessions and at home.

Materials Needed:

• Large poster board or chart paper (one sheet per strategy)
• Colored markers or crayons
• Printer (optional for icons or clip art)
• Lamination (optional for durability)

How to Prepare:

1. On each poster, write the strategy title in big, bold letters at the top.
2. Draw or attach a simple icon:
   • Deep Breathing: a cartoon pair of lungs or a flower (inhale to smell, exhale to blow petals)
   • Positive Self-Talk: a smiling speech bubble
   • Counting Slowly: numbers 1–10 in ascending order
   • Asking for Help: a hand raised or two people talking
3. Under each title, list 2–4 easy steps in a friendly font.
4. Use bright colors and clear visuals to engage Jacob.
5. (Optional) Laminate for reuse and durability.

Poster Content Example:

Deep Breathing

• Step 1: Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds.
• Step 2: Hold for 2 seconds.
• Step 3: Blow out slowly through your mouth for 6 seconds.
• Tip: Pretend you’re blowing bubbles!

Positive Self-Talk

• Look in a mirror or at yourself in your mind.
• Say: “I can handle this.”
• Say: “I am brave, I am calm.”
• Tip: Use a superhero voice!

Counting Slowly

• Stop and pause.
• Count 1…2…3… up to 10 at your own pace.
• Focus on each number.
• Tip: Picture each number in your head.

Asking for Help

• Take a deep breath.
• Find an adult or friend.
• Use a calm voice: “Can you help me?”
• Tip: Point to what you need if it’s hard to talk.

How to Use in Session:

1. Introduce Each Poster:
   • Point to the poster, read the title, and model the steps with Jacob.
2. Practice Together:
   • When Jacob feels frustrated or nervous during role-play, guide him to the matching poster.
   • Have him read or repeat each step aloud.
3. Role-Play Integration:
   • In Role-Playing Social Scenarios, pause and ask which poster could help him.
4. Home Reminder:
   • Encourage Jacob to take a photo of the posters or use a smaller copy at home.

Next Steps

• Link coping posters to feelings on Feeling Thermometer Chart by marking which strategy suits each level.
• Use in future sessions to reinforce self-regulation and build independence.

Social Scenario Cards

These printable cards feature common peer-interaction situations so Jacob can practice social responses and coping skills.

Materials Needed:

• Cardstock or heavy paper
• Printer
• Scissors or paper cutter

How to Prepare:

1. Print the scenario list on cardstock.
2. Cut along the lines to create individual cards.
3. (Optional) Laminate for durability.

Scenario Cards (Cut one row per card):

How to Use in Session:

1. Draw a Card:
   • Have Jacob shuffle and pick one scenario card.
2. Read and Reflect:
   • Read the card aloud together.
   • Ask: “How would you feel in this situation?”
   • Use Emotion Cards to point to the matching emotion.
3. Choose a Strategy:
   • Identify which coping tool could help (refer to Coping Strategy Posters).
   • Example: Take three deep breaths if you feel nervous.
4. Role-Play:
   • Act out the scenario with the teacher as the peer.
   • Encourage Jacob to use his chosen coping strategy and a calm, respectful response.
5. Debrief:
   • After role-play, ask: “What went well?” and “What could you try next time?”
   • Record observations on the Reflection Worksheet.

Variations and Extensions:

• Alternative Responses: Brainstorm two different ways to respond to each scenario (e.g., humor, polite request).
• Peer Feedback: In a small group, let classmates draw cards and give feedback on each other’s role-play.
• Feeling Thermometer Connection: Have Jacob rate how intense his feeling was on the Feeling Thermometer Chart before and after using strategies.

Next Steps

• Continue practicing these scenarios in future sessions to build confidence.
• Encourage Jacob to use similar steps when real-life situations arise at school or home.

Feeling Thermometer Chart

This chart helps Jacob rate how intense his feelings are before and after activities. It’s like a thermometer for emotions—from cool and calm to boiling hot frustration.

Materials Needed:

• Printable Feeling Thermometer Chart (see below)
• Colored pencils or markers
• Clip or paper clip (optional)

How to Prepare:

1. Print the Feeling Thermometer Chart on a full sheet of paper.
2. (Optional) Laminate for reuse.
3. Provide Jacob with a dry-erase marker or a paper clip as a movable indicator.

Feeling Thermometer Chart:

1 (Very Calm)
2 (Calm)
3 (Slightly Calm)
4 (Neutral)
5 (A Little Upset)
6 (Upset)
7 (Quite Upset)
8 (Very Upset)
9 (Almost Boiling)
10 (Boiling/Mad)

How to Use in Session:

1. Pre-Activity Check-In:
   • Ask Jacob, “How do you feel right now?”
   • Have him point to or circle a number.
2. Mid-Activity Prompt:
   • During role-play or practice, check: “Is your thermometer moving up or down?”
   • Encourage him to use a coping strategy if his number is 6 or above.
3. Post-Activity Reflection:
   • At the end, ask Jacob to rate again.
   • Compare the before and after ratings to see which strategies helped.

Reflection Questions (on back or separate sheet):

• What number did you start at?
  
  
  
• What number did you end at?
  
  
  
• Which coping strategy helped you move down your thermometer?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Next Steps

• Link each range to a recommended coping tool from Coping Strategy Posters.
• Encourage Jacob to use this chart in real-life moments to self-monitor and choose strategies independently.

Reflection Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: ________________

1. Emotion Identification

Using the Emotion Cards, list three feelings you named today and describe a time you felt each one.

1. Emotion: ________________
   
   
   
   When I felt this: __________________________________________________________
   
   
   
2. Emotion: ________________
   
   
   
   When I felt this: __________________________________________________________
   
   
   
3. Emotion: ________________
   
   
   
   When I felt this: __________________________________________________________
   
   
   

2. Coping Strategies

Check the strategies you practiced today from the Coping Strategy Posters:

• Deep Breathing
• Positive Self-Talk
• Counting Slowly
• Asking for Help

Describe one strategy you used and how it helped you:
______________________________________________________________________________

3. Role-Play Reflection

Think about a scenario from the Social Scenario Cards you role-played.

a) What went well?
______________________________________________________________________________











b) What was challenging? How could you try a different response next time?
______________________________________________________________________________

4. Feeling Thermometer

Use the Feeling Thermometer Chart to rate your feelings.

1. My number before role-play was: _______
   
   
   
2. My number after using a coping strategy was: _______
   
   
   
3. Which strategy helped lower your number?
   ______________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Personal Plan

Choose one coping tool to use this week.

a) Strategy I will try:
______________________________________________________________________________





b) When or where will I use it?
______________________________________________________________________________



c) Who can remind me or help me practice?
______________________________________________________________________________

Great job reflecting! Keep this sheet to remind yourself of your social superpowers.