SENCIA Kit
The SENCIA Kit includes 5 thoughtfully designed components aimed at supporting self-regulation and emotional wisdom:
A set of 'My Feelings' cards, 'My Body Clues' cards to identify bodily sensations, 'My Need' cards for recognizing personal needs, 'Feel Better Powers' cards for self-regulating strategies, and a versatile mat that serves as both a self-reflection tool and a jump-on mat to engage the body in the process.
Together, these elements create an engaging and comprehensive toolkit that helps children explore their inner world, communicate effectively, and build resilience.
The kit was designed by the talented and loved Aya Navot.
The SENCIA Kits will be ready to sell soon! Stay tuned and keep checking back here for updates on their availability—we can’t wait to share them with you!
"My feeling" cards
The SENCIA Kit includes 31 cards of feelings, designed so that children can learn a variety of emotions with greater granularity and not just the basic or main feelings. This helps children distinguish between subtle differences in their emotions, allowing them to identify what they are feeling with accuracy, which brings clarity to their inner experience and help them to self-regulate. The cards are color-coded in green, red, and blue, helping children recognize which state their nervous system is most likely in. This visual guide empowers them to better understand their current state and decide what they can do to help themselves feel better.
"My feeling" cards
The "My Body Clues" cards in the SENCIA Kit —featuring a collection of 51 cards—are designed to help children develop Interoceptive Awareness—our ability to sense and feel what is happening inside our body. These cards enable children to understand the messages their body sends through bodily sensations.
By learning to notice and interpret these signals, children can decode what the sensations mean and determine what they can do to feel better. The cards expand the vocabulary of bodily sensations, fostering a deeper connection to the body and promoting embodiment. Understanding bodily sensations is crucial because emotions originate from physiological changes and bodily cues. Teaching children to identify how each feeling manifests in their unique body helps them recognize emotions when they are still small, before they escalate into challenging behaviors. This early recognition supports emotional regulation and wisdom, empowering children to manage emotions effectively before they reach their peak intensity.
It is not enough for children to simply know the names of emotions if we aim to teach true emotional regulation. By connecting bodily sensations to emotions, children gain a powerful tool for recognizing and managing their feelings, fostering resilience and well-being. Research shows that children with higher interoceptive awareness experience increased physical and emotional well-being and tend to be more empathetic toward their peers. This heightened awareness not only helps them regulate their own emotions but also enhances their ability to understand and respond to the emotions of others, contributing to better social interactions and stronger relationships.
"My needs" cards
The "My needs" cards —featuring a collection of 30 cards— are a crucial component of the SENCIA Kit, designed to help children become aware of their own needs, take responsibility for them, and respond in ways that promote well-being. Drawing inspiration from Nonviolent Communication (NVC) principles, these cards guide children in exploring their unmet needs—such as the need to be seen, for movement, trust, or safety—so they can understand what is present within them and why they may feel or act in certain ways.
By focusing on these underlying needs, children can gain insight into the reasons behind their emotions and behaviors, which helps them respond more thoughtfully. The visual cards feature images and names of various human needs, making it easier for children to recognize and articulate their needs, fostering self-awareness, self-regulation, and emotional wisdom.
It’s important to note that many adults are often unaware of their own needs or expect others to meet those needs without expressing them. This is especially true for parents, who may sometimes feel that addressing their own needs is selfish. However, by teaching children to recognize and take responsibility for their needs, we help them develop healthier, more compassionate ways of relating to themselves and others.
"Feel Better Powers" cards
The "Feel Better Powers" cards —featuring a collection of 35 cards— are designed to help children discover their personal regulation tools—strategies that science shows can help bring the (autonomic) nervous system back into balance and promote well-being. The SENCIA Kit supports children in their journey to identify the tools that work best for their unique nervous system, empowering them to know what helps them feel better. These cards remind children of their superpower: the ability to self-regulate and feel better, even in challenging moments.
By exploring different tools, children learn to connect with the strategies that resonate with them most, helping them navigate their emotional world with confidence and resilience.
"Jump-on" SENCIA Mat
The SENCIA Kit includes a specially designed mat that takes children through a dynamic four-step process inspired by the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) model. This process helps children clarify and understand their inner experiences by engaging both their minds and bodies. Through movement and sensory engagement, the mat guides children in exploring their emotions, bodily sensations, needs and regulating-tools, fostering deeper self-awareness. This embodied approach not only supports self-regulation but also empowers children to articulate their feelings and needs to others, strengthening their ability to communicate and seek connection effectively.