How I Feel & What I Need – Printable Communication Cards

Sometimes feelings can feel VERY BIG — and finding the words to explain them isn’t always easy.

How I Feel & What I Need is a printable communication pack designed to help children recognise how they’re feeling and show what they might need.

The pack includes colourful cut-out cards covering a range of feelings — from happy, excited and loved to worried, frustrated and overwhelmed — alongside practical “I need…” cards such as a cuddle, quiet time, some space, help, a rest and more. There are also blank cards so you can personalise the pack for your child.

Children can use the My Feelings Wheel to help identify a feeling, before choosing a card that shows what they need. The communication mat then brings the two together to create a simple “I feel… and I need…” statement.

What’s included:

8-page printable PDF, including:

• How-to-use guide
• 15 illustrated feeling cards
• 3 blank feeling cards
• My Feelings Wheel
• 15 illustrated “I need…” cards
• 3 blank need cards
• How I Feel & What I Need communication mat

How to use

Simply download and print at home, cut out the cards and use them together with the feelings wheel and communication mat. You can also laminate the cards to make them more durable and reusable.

Please note: This is a digital product. No physical item will be posted. For personal use only; not for resale or redistribution.

This resource is designed as a communication aid for parents/carers and children and is not a substitute for professional or medical advice.