New psychology-based cards help children build emotional resilience skills for life

A Bath-based mum of five, Dr of psychology, and trained cognitive behavioural
therapy (CBT) expert has launched a psychology-based card deck, aimed to help children,aged 6 to 12 years build emotional resilience, confidence, and healthy coping skills, for life, before difficulties have a chance to grow.

With 1 in 5 children likely to experience a mental health problem, and 50% of all mental health problems beginning before the age of 14, early support has never mattered more.

For many parents, knowing where to start is the hardest part.Hero Cards® is a new tool designed to change that, featuring a supersized deck of 49 beautifully designed cards that guide children through simple, science backed journeys in a way that is fun and engaging.

How Hero Cards Works

Hero Cards® uses five colour-coded card types that together form a complete emotional wellbeing toolkit, following a simple five-step journey children can work through with parents or teachers — or begin to explore independently.

Hero Cards® are designed to be used again and again, in as little as 10 minutes.

The card deck includes:

• Hero Cards — children choose a hero, building empathy and understanding that we all experience life differently.
• Story Cards — an adventure where their hero faces everyday challenges like anxiety, jealousy or sadness.
• Emotion Cards — children explore feelings, thoughts and body sensations that their hero might experience.
• Power Stealer Cards — children recognise unhelpful coping habits such as worry, avoidance and perfectionism.
• Superpower Cards — practical, science-backed coping tools for better thoughts, a calm body and action that children will remember and use for life.

No psychology expertise is required. The tools are grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy and made simple enough for a child to understand and use. The cards do the hard work, with prompts designed to start conversations and build connections.

Access to digital support materials

Every pack comes beautifully packaged and includes a progress map, stickers and a Hero Backpack Card to personalise. It also includes access to the Members’ Portal via a QR code, featuring audio stories read by professional actors, guided superpower audios,downloadable templates, a Power Poster printable and short videos from Dr Emmie.

Dr. Emmie explains: “Children shouldn’t have to wait until they’re struggling to learn how to cope. These are the most important life skills they can learn, and every child deserves them
early.”

Hero Cards® has been co-designed with teachers, psychologists and tested with families.
School resource packs, and Teen and SEND editions are currently in development, with a
pilot study planned in September with one of Bath’s leading private schools.