Interoception Card Games - social and emotional learning playing cards!

These interoception card games are fun, interactive, adaptable, and purposeful. These engaging SEL activities support students to develop their ability to notice their body signals and sensations and link these sensations to feelings. 

Three interoception card games are included - shedding style game, memory, and snap - each with instructions. A tip sheet and body sensation visuals are also included - to support a wide variety of learners!

I created these games because I couldn’t find fun and engaging games to use in my therapy sessions. My kiddos respond to and love play-based learning!  

Often students are taught to increase their emotional vocab and identify feelings in others (understanding verbal and non-verbal cues). However, this misses a key part of emotional regulation - being able to recognise emotions in themselves (which can be tricky!) To do this students need to be able to notice their own body sensations and link these sensations to emotions.

Do you work with students who may seem to go from 0 to 100 without warning? They may have trouble noticing small sensations in their body until they feel really large sensations... this is why this is a critical skill for children to learn. That is why incorporating interoception into SEL programs can be a game-changer for lots of students!

These interoception activities can be used in multiple formats to suit a wide range of learners, abilities, and ages. 

✅ Shedding card game (with action cards!) - Just like other popular “shedding style” card games, the aim of the game is for the player to get rid of all their cards first. Cards feature interoception questions, activities, and some fun action cards. See preview for a closer look at the instructions.

✅ Memory card game – The aim of this game is to collect as many pairs of cards as possible. Cards are put face down on the table. Players take turns turning over 2 cards at a time, when they get a pair, they answer the interoception question and they get to keep the pair.  

✅ Snap card game  – The aim of the game is to get the most or all the cards. When a player gets a “snap” they do their best to answer an interoception question or complete a task.

The games come with visuals of possible plays, to help remind students how to play the game. In addition, body sensation visuals are also included! These will be excellent tools for visual learners!

What's included

⭐️Interoception card game – with 60 playing cards. The game can be played as three different card games - shedding - memory - snap

⭐️Actions cards (for shedding style card game) – 18 action cards

⭐️Teacher / Therapist Tip sheet  

⭐️Instructions for each game and tips for prepping resource

⭐️Body sensation visuals

⭐️Possible play visuals for each game

Depending on students’ ability I would typically teach lesson(s) about body signals and linking to feelings first (like body mapping, social narrative...) and then use these SEL card games to re-enforce topics, and delve deeper into interoception in a fun and engaging way.

Your students will love playing these fun SEL card games! Laminate and/or print onto card stock to increase the durability and use over and over again - they will not get board! 

You might also like

• Interoception growing bundle
• Emotions and feelings toolkit

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Disclaimer

These activities are intended for general use. This activity is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or occupational therapist. Information provided should not be used for diagnostic or training purposes. If you require specific support contact your physician or OT. Stop any activity if you are unsure about a child’s reaction or ability.

Copyright Occupational Therapy with Soph

All rights reserved by the author. This resource is licensed only for the educator or clinician who purchased it. You may share with your own students or case load.

Questions

Any questions, comments, feedback or requests please reach out to me via TPT or at sophia.occupationaltherapy@gmail.com