Heart Superpowers
19 superpowers of the heart that every child can grow: empathy, mindfulness, a growth mindset, gratitude and more. Each one comes with a clear explanation, activities for every age from one to sixteen, games to play, flashcards and worksheets. Free, and nothing is sent anywhere.
Heart Superpower of the week
One skill of the heart each week, with a question to talk about, a kind thing to say and an activity to try every day.
Try it today
Each week HeartWise features one superpower of the heart. See all 19 Heart Superpowers.
Empathy
Feeling with othersEmpathy is how we show someone, “I see you, and I care.” It can be practised, and it grows a little every day.
ExploreSelf-AwarenessFeelings Detective
Noticing and naming feelingsEvery feeling leaves clues. A good detective notices them, gives the feeling a name, and stays curious instead of cross.
ExploreSelf-RegulationMindfulness
Being here, one breath at a timeMindfulness is noticing what is happening right now, with kindness. It can start with one breath, and it fits in any ordinary day.
ExploreSelf-RegulationMoods and Attitudes
The weather inside usMoods are the weather inside us, and they change. An attitude is how we meet the day, and it can shift even when the mood stays.
ExploreGrowth MindsetGrowth Mindset
I can’t… yetSkills grow with practice, effort and good strategies. Add one small word, “yet”, and “I can’t” becomes “I can’t… yet”.
ExploreResilience & PurposePerseverance
Keep going, kindlyPerseverance is keeping going with something that matters, one small step at a time, with rests, help and a plan B along the way.
ExploreGrowth MindsetHelpful Thinking
Kind and useful thoughtsHelpful thinking means noticing our thoughts and choosing ones that are kind and useful, while every feeling stays welcome.
ExploreEmpathy & ConnectionRespect
Treating everyone with careRespect means treating people, places, things and ourselves with care. It goes both ways, and adults go first.
ExploreResilience & PurposeGratitude
Noticing the goodGratitude is noticing the good that is there, and saying thank you. It sits alongside hard feelings, never in place of them.
ExploreRelationships & RepairMending: Saying Sorry and Putting Things Right
Repairing what breaksEveryone hurts someone sometimes. Mending is how we put it right: say what happened, care, say sorry and do something to help.
ExploreResilience & PurposeBig Challenges
Facing hard thingsBig challenges are part of growing up. With a name for the feeling, small steps and people beside them, children can face hard things and care for themselves.
ExploreEmpathy & ConnectionConundrums
Tricky choices to talk aboutA conundrum is a tricky choice with no single right answer. Talking about them helps children listen, weigh up fairness, honesty, kindness and loyalty, and disagree kindly.
ExploreEmpathy & ConnectionStorytelling
Tell it with heartTelling, listening to and making up stories is a lovely way to understand feelings and other people. All you need is a voice, a listener and time.
ExploreResilience & PurposeCourage
Brave, even when it is hardCourage is not having no fear. It is taking the next small brave step with fear along for the ride, and it grows each time we try.
ExploreEmpathy & ConnectionKindness
Small acts that make big daysKindness is care in action. It is the small thing we do, a word, a hand, a moment, that tells someone, “You matter.” It costs nothing.
ExploreSelf-RegulationPatience
Waiting wellPatience is staying steady while we wait, or while something is slow or hard. It is not about waiting quietly. It is about waiting well.
ExploreGrowth MindsetCuriosity
Wonder, ask, exploreCuriosity is the wish to find out. It starts with a wonder, grows with a question and gets stronger every time we try, look closer and listen.
ExploreRelationships & RepairHonesty
Telling the truth, kindlyHonesty builds trust. It means telling the truth, kindly, owning our mistakes and being truthful with ourselves about what we feel.
ExploreEmpathy & ConnectionTeamwork
Better togetherTeamwork is working together towards something. It grows when we listen, take turns, share the jobs, cheer each other on and make room for everyone.
ExploreNo superpowers here yet. Choose another Pillar.
Learn it, try it, play it, print it
- Understand
A clear idea in a few words, for children and for grown-ups.
- Try it by age
Activities for toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children and teenagers.
- Play
Choices, two-sided stories and a one-minute practice, on screen.
- Flashcards
Twelve flip cards to use together or print.
- Worksheets
Three to fill in on screen or on paper.
- Talk about it
Questions for the table, the car or circle time.
Five ages, one shared language
Every superpower has activities for all five HeartWise age bands. Pick an age and begin with Empathy.
More to explore, all free
Using these files
These files are free to print and photocopy for your own home, classroom or team, and to use with the children and colleagues you teach or work with. Please share the link to this page rather than the files themselves. Please do not sell the files, change them, or remove the HeartWise name and credit.
© Yasmin Mubarak, HeartWise. Published by Polaricx Education Ecosystem. Want to use them more widely, for example in a training or a publication? Write to hello@heartwise.world.