Colour the Cues – Social Cues Colouring Sheet and Discussion Activity by Be Happy Resources

Help children explore and understand facial expressions, body language, and personal space with a fun and mindful colouring sheet. Features a comprehensive how to guide for parents, educators and therapists!

Understanding social cues can be tricky for SEN children or those developing social awareness. Colour the Cues is a gentle, engaging tool that helps children learn to recognise common facial expressions, body language, and non-verbal signals through creativity and conversation. This printable one-page colouring sheet is accompanied by a detailed adult guidance sheet to support meaningful, judgment-free discussion with children.

What’s Included

• One Printable Colouring Sheet featuring nine social cues:

  • Smiling

  • Frowning

  • Eye Contact

  • Arms Folded

  • Arms Open

  • Shoulders Slumped

  • Tone of Voice

  • Close Together

  • Turning Away

• One Professional/Parent Guidance Sheet with clear explanations of each cue and thoughtful discussion prompts.

• Friendly, inclusive design for use at home, in classrooms, or therapeutic settings.

Benefits

• Supports emotional literacy and non-verbal communication understanding.

• Encourages self-awareness and empathy through visuals and conversation.

• Provides a low-pressure, creative activity for neurodiverse children to explore complex social ideas.

• Promotes inclusive, non-judgemental learning—there are no right or wrong answers.

• Great for use in group work, 1:1 support, or at-home reflection.

• Builds confidence in children who find social interpretation overwhelming.

How to Use This Resource

1. Print the Colouring Sheet – Children can colour in each cue at their own pace.

2. Use the Guidance Sheet – As your child colours, refer to the adult prompts to ask open-ended, gentle questions about what each cue could mean.

3. Explore Through Discussion – Talk about how the child feels when they see or use each cue. Let them share personal experiences.

4. Model and Role-Play – Act out the cues together or use mirrors to explore facial expressions and posture.

5. Keep it Calm and Safe – There are no wrong answers—this is about growing understanding, not correcting.

Perfect For:

• Children with autism who are learning to recognise social and emotional cues.

• SEN and emotional literacy classrooms.

• Home learning with parent/carer support.

• School wellbeing leads, inclusion coordinators, and therapists.

• Circle time, calm corners, or social skills groups.

Colour the Cues is a powerful, gentle resource for helping children develop social awareness in a calm, creative way. With nine essential social cues and a fully supportive adult guide, it’s perfect for opening conversations about how we show emotions, how others might feel, and how to respond with kindness and understanding. Download now!