Emotion Match Flash Cards — Picture Cards

Cut the 12 picture cards along the dashed lines. Match each picture to an emotion word.

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Emotion Match Flash Cards — Word Cards

Cut out these 12 words. Match a word to each picture.

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Emotion Match — Teacher Answer Key

These are the intended illustration matches, not a way to diagnose anybody's real feelings.

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Teacher Guide · When a learner chooses the “wrong” emotion

Module 01 / Activity 3 · Reading emotion without making assumptions

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1 · Explore, don't mark the person wrong

Try: “Interesting — you saw worried, while this card was drawn to show scared. What made you think that? Could the person feel both? What else might be going on?”

2 · Teach the uncertainty

Facial expressions, tone, eye contact and silence are clues, not proof. Culture, disability, neurodivergence, masking, stress and personal context can affect expression. More than one answer may be reasonable from a still picture.

3 · Link to the consequences

Misunderstandings: a quiet person may be labelled rude or angry when they are tired, sad or overwhelmed.
Escalation: treating a guess as fact can lead to accusations, arguments, exclusion or damaged trust.
Control: demanding passwords, tracking someone or punishing silence because “you must be lying” is harmful and may be abusive. Misreading feelings never excuses coercion or violence.
Safety: when someone is frightened or controlled, do not insist they confront the person causing harm. Offer private safeguarding or specialist support.

4 · Model the safer response

“I noticed you seem quiet. I may have read it wrong. Would you like to talk, or would you prefer space?” Then listen and respect the answer. Do not demand disclosure.

5 · Ask the group (fictional characters only)

Someone looks angry but says they are scared. What should you do with your first guess?
A friend has not replied to a message. What are three possibilities besides “they dislike me”?
When does a mistaken assumption become harmful behaviour? Who is responsible for that behaviour?

Facilitation: 5 minutes match and discuss; 3 minutes debrief; optional extra time for accessibility needs. Never score people on reading another person's emotions. Do not invite personal disclosures. Facilitators should follow organisational safeguarding procedures.