Trigger Discovery Pack – Explore, Rate & Manage Your Child's Emotional Triggers

Help children identify, understand, and manage their emotional triggers through interactive, hands-on learning.

Every child experiences triggers - situations, sensations, or events that spark strong emotional reactions such as anxiety, anger, frustration, or withdrawal. For some children, especially those navigating challenges like ADHD, OCD, anxiety, or emotional regulation difficulties, these triggers can feel overwhelming and confusing.

But when children are given the tools to explore and identify their triggers, something powerful happens: they begin to understand why they feel the way they do, they learn that their responses are valid, and they gain the ability to manage those feelings more effectively.

That’s exactly what our Trigger Discovery Pack was designed to do. This interactive cut-and-paste activity allows children to pinpoint their top 9 triggers, rate how much each one affects them, and begin meaningful conversations with trusted adults about how to manage them.

Far more than a resource, this is a practical, engaging, and therapeutic tool that helps children make sense of their emotional world, while giving parents, teachers, and professionals invaluable insight into what children are going through.

Features:

• 96 Pre-Made Trigger Cards – covering a wide range of everyday triggers that children commonly experience.

• Blank Customisable Cards – for children to add unique or personal triggers not already included.

• Cut-and-Paste Activity – encourages active participation, creativity, and hands-on engagement.

• Top 9 Trigger Grid – children select the nine triggers that affect them most and place them into the grid.

• Rating Scale (1–5) – allows children to rate the intensity of each trigger, helping them (and adults) see which issues matter most.

• Disorder-Inclusive Design – includes triggers often associated with ADHD, anxiety, anger, OCD, and other common challenges.

• Discussion Friendly – designed to spark open, non-judgemental conversations between children and supportive adults.

• Printable & Reusable – use with individual children or groups, print as many times as you like!

About This Resource:

The Trigger Discovery Pack was developed with child mental health and emotional literacy at its core. Many children struggle to put their feelings into words, especially when they don’t fully understand what’s causing those feelings. This resource bridges the gap by making triggers concrete and visual.

Children are presented with a wide selection of triggers - from everyday frustrations (like waiting their turn or losing a game) to bigger challenges (such as family conflict, sensory overload, or fear of failure). By cutting out and selecting the triggers that resonate most with them, children externalise their experiences in a way that feels safe and manageable.

The addition of a rating scale is key. It helps children move beyond “yes/no” thinking and start to reflect on degrees of impact. For example, they may realise that loud noises trigger a 5/5 reaction, while waiting their turn might only be a 2/5. This nuanced understanding builds emotional awareness and self-regulation skills.

Importantly, the resource also provides adults with valuable insight. Teachers can better manage classroom triggers, parents can respond with empathy, and counsellors can tailor therapeutic strategies.

Benefits:

• Builds emotional literacy – children learn to identify and name their triggers clearly.

• Promotes self-awareness – our rating scale helps children recognise which triggers impact them most.

• Encourages open discussion – creates a safe, structured way to talk about emotions.

• Normalises mental health – shows children they are not alone in their experiences.

• Supports children with ADHD, anxiety, anger, autism, OCD and more – includes relevant, disorder-specific triggers.

• Engages multiple learning styles – hands-on cutting, pasting, and discussion.

• Strengthens adult insight – gives parents, teachers, and therapists a window into a child’s world.

• Practical and adaptable – works for individuals, groups, and diverse settings. You can use all of the trigger cards, or select triggers based on disorder.

How to Use

1. Print the Trigger Cards – prepare the 96 pre-made cards and blank customisable ones.

2. Introduce the Activity – explain that everyone has “triggers” - things that make them feel upset, worried, or angry.

3. Explore the Cards Together – let the child look through the triggers and pick out the ones that stand out.

4. Cut and Paste – children cut out their chosen triggers and place their top 9 into the grid. They don't have to choose 9 - they can choose any number of triggers based on what affects them.

5. Rate Each Trigger – ask them to rate each trigger from 1 (not too bad) to 5 (very intense).

6. Discuss and Reflect – talk through why they chose those triggers, what happens when they’re triggered, and how adults can help.

7. Revisit Over Time – repeat the activity to track changes and progress in emotional regulation.

Suggested Uses

• At Home: Parents can use it to connect with their child and better understand what sparks big emotions.

• In Schools: Teachers can use it for social-emotional learning activities or classroom management.

• In Counselling: Therapists can use it to identify triggers and develop coping strategies.

• In Wellbeing Workshops: Perfect for group discussions on mental health and resilience.

• For Family Therapy: Encourages open dialogue between siblings, parents, and carers.

The Trigger Discovery Pack is a hands-on, practical tool for helping children identify and reflect on their emotional triggers. With 96 ready-to-use cards, blank templates, a rating scale, and a top 9 trigger grid, this resource makes emotional exploration accessible, engaging, and insightful.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, therapist, or youth worker, this resource equips you to help children build emotional literacy, develop coping strategies, and feel more understood.