Description
Book of Beasties is an early intervention card game for children that can be delivered in schools or played together at home.
Via gameplay, activities, creative and physical exercises, it aims to encourage the open and positive conversation about mental health and wellbeing.
The key to this resource is the discussion elements and taking the time to talk about select Beasties as they appear throughout the game, how they feel, how we can help them and if we have ever felt the same. Providing a platform to address serious mental health issues such as anxiety and depression whilst practising skills that could potentially be supportive should issues arise.
What our testers said
“Everyone gets foggy brains sometimes, yes I do. When my brain gets foggy I can’t tell you what’s wrong.” – Boy aged 7
“It’s really fun once you get it.” – Girl aged 10
What our experts think
This card game provides a great way to encourage children to talk about their mental wellbeing and express their own feelings. It is ideal for playing together at home or in school to help children develop their awareness of others, building key emotional skills such as empathy and resilience.
Our testers found that the game got children talking and sharing their emotions and it also particularly helped one of the children with autism to work on his anxieties – it encourages children to take part in relaxation activities such as yoga and breathing work. After playing over a few days he referred back to things mentioned on the cards as a way of expressing himself. The children also found the game in itself fun and liked that you could play cooperatively.
Skills developed
– Creates a safe, stigma-free space to discuss mental health issues
– Teaches resilience
– Encourages conversation and learning about mental wellbeing
