A set of child-centred cards that help children and young people communicate what school feels like for them. Grounded in resilience research, the cards reflect the key factors that shape a child’s sense of belonging, connection, and wellbeing. Using a simple card-sorting activity, children can share what is working well and what feels more difficult, giving adults a clearer understanding of the strengths and barriers influencing their experience of school.
Support for Parents and Carers
Dr Jerricah has designed a range of resources for families to support their child’s wellbeing, school attendance, and emotional understanding through practical tools, guided activities, and supportive materials for use at home. These resources help you make sense of what your child may be experiencing and support more connected, confident responses in everyday moments.
School Wellbeing Cards
Frequently asked questions
What age are the School Wellbeing Cards suitable for?
The School Wellbeing Cards are designed for children aged 7 and above, although younger children may sometimes use them with support from an adult. There are also adapted versions available, including the Special School edition with Widgit symbols, and the College Wellbeing Cards designed for older young people navigating the transition to college or settling into college life.
What if my child doesn’t want to talk about school?
That’s very common. Many children find it difficult to put their experiences of school into words, particularly when they are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. The cards are designed to reduce the pressure of direct questioning by giving children
something visual and concrete to respond to. Some children will talk while sorting the cards, while others may prefer to sort them quietly at first. Both responses are completely okay. Often, once the cards are laid out, children find it easier to begin sharing their thoughts and feelings.
Can I use the School Wellbeing Cards with my child, or should this be done by schoolstaff or a professional?
Some families choose to explore the cards with their child at home as a gentle way to open up conversations about how school is feeling for them. In other situations, the activity may be carried out by a member of school staff, an educational psychologist, or another professional who knows the child and can help explore their experiences within the school context. You may find it helpful to speak with your child’s school about whether completing the activity
with a trusted adult in school might feel supportive for your child. At the same time, you know your child best. If your child feels safest talking with you, then you may be the right person to begin these conversations. The cards can simply provide a gentle starting point for understanding how school is feeling for them.
What if my child says something negative about school?
Sometimes children may share experiences that adults were not previously aware of. This can feel surprising or difficult to hear.
The aim of the activity is not to place blame, but to better understand what school feels like for the child, so that supportive conversations and solutions can be explored together.
What if my child chooses lots of cards?
That’s completely okay. Some children relate to many of the cards. The activity helps gradually narrow things down by identifying the Top cards, which often highlight the areas that feel most important to the child right now.
Are there resources available to help parents understand school distress?
Yes. Family Horizons is an online course designed for parents and carers supporting a child who is experiencing school distress or attendance challenges. The course helps families better understand what a child may be experiencing and offers compassionate, practical guidance on how to support them while working collaboratively with schools and professionals.
What’s the difference between the physical cards and the web app?
The physical School Wellbeing Cards and the interactive web app use the same card-
sorting activity and follow the same structure. Both are designed to help children explore and share their experiences of school in a safe, structured way. The physical cards are often used in face-to-face conversations, where the child can
handle the cards and sort them on a table with a trusted adult. Many children find the tactile nature of the activity reassuring and engaging. The web app is a digital version of the cards that can be used across laptops, tablets, and phones. This can be particularly helpful for children who:
• prefer digital ways of communicating
• feel more comfortable completing the activity remotely
• are currently finding it difficult to attend school
Both versions support the same aim: helping adults understand what school feels like
for the child so that meaningful support can be explored together.
"I used the online cards with my child. My son had been struggling at school for a while but we couldn’t get him to open up about what was going on. I saw other parents talking about this on a facebook group I am on and thought I would give it a go. Wow so much came from such a simple activity. I gave a copy of the cards he picked to the school and my son said they were really supportive and things have already started to change."
Gemma (Parent)