Big Feelings Reflections – Item 712

Our Big Feelings Reflections activity is a gentle, structured tool to help children reflect on overwhelming emotions and regain a sense of calm and control. Using a shape-based layout and clear prompts, children are guided to break down a tricky moment into manageable, meaningful steps.

The activity encourages them to recognise what triggered the feeling, how it showed up in their body, and most importantly, what helped  including support, comfort, courage, and coping. It also asks them to think about a helpful thought they can remember next time, and what small step they could take moving forward.

What’s Included:

Main Worksheet: A clear, child-friendly sheet using simple shapes to walk through 10 prompts:

• Trigger – What started the big feeling
• Body – Where they felt it physically
• Thought – A helpful thought they can remember next time
• Feeling – Naming the emotion they had
• Support – Who helped or could have helped
• Comfort – What soothed them or could help them feel safe
• Courage – The brave bit they did (even if small)
• Proud – What they’re proud of in the situation
• Coping – A strategy that helped or might help
• Small Step – One little thing they can try next time
• Prompt Sheet for ELSAs/Adults: Thoughtful questions for each section to gently guide conversations and help children reflect more deeply.
• ELSA Instructions: Clear, easy-to-follow instructions on how to introduce and work through the worksheet, with tips for pacing.
• Individual Shape Practice Sheets: Each shape and its reflection point comes on a separate sheet for additional practice, modelling, or scaffolding before attempting the full version.

Who Is It For?

This worksheet is ideal for KS1 and KS2 children in ELSA sessions, pastoral support, or nurture groups. It supports emotional literacy, self-regulation, and resilience in a way that feels safe and achievable.

Why It Works:

• Encourages calm reflection after emotional overwhelm.
• Focuses on what did or could help, not what went wrong.
• Helps children build self-awareness, courage, and problem-solving skills.
• Neuroaffirming and accessible, using inclusive, child-centred language.