Get Your Free Brain Buddy Cards!

Ask your child what they need, if they can’t tell you, use your best guess. Grab the matching Brain Buddy Card and follow the simple suggestion on the back to give their brain exactly what it needs in that moment.

What Are the Brain Buddy Cards & How To Use Them?

The Brain Buddy Cards make emotional regulation simple and fun for kids. Each card introduces one of the 7 Essential Brain Needs with a kid-friendly character:

  • Stella (Stability) – Consistent routines, predictable safety

  • Connie (Connection) – Warmth, play, eye contact

  • Ace (Acceptance) – All feelings are valid

  • Val (Value) – Celebrating effort, not just results

  • Hon (Honesty) – Safe spaces for truth without shame

  • Clara (Clarity) – Clear instructions, no hidden rules

  • Trey (Trust) – Promises kept, safety secured

These cards give kids the language and visuals to express what their brain needs — turning meltdowns and shutdowns into teachable moments.

💡 How to Use Them

  1. Pick a card – Invite your child to choose the Brain Buddy that feels right for them.

  2. Name the need – Each Buddy represents one of the 7 Essential Brain Needs (Stability, Connection, Acceptance, Value, Honesty, Clarity, Trust).

  3. Talk it out – Ask a simple question: “I see you picked Connie — do you need some connection right now?”

  4. Take action – Meet that need with something small: a hug, a clear step, or a quick routine.

💡 Tip: Keep the cards somewhere visible (like on the fridge, in a calm corner, or in a backpack) so your child can reach for them when emotions feel big.

🖨️ How To Print

These cards are designed to be printed as double-sided cards — front = Brain Buddy identity, back = practical regulation suggestions.

How to print:

  1. Open the PDF and select Print on Both Sides / Duplex Printing in your printer settings.

  2. Choose Flip on Short Edge so the fronts and backs line up correctly.

  3. Print on cardstock for durability or laminate.

  4. Cut along the lines to make individual cards.

👉 If your printer doesn’t do double-sided: print all the odd pages first (the fronts), flip the stack, then print the even pages (the backs).

Use these cards at home or in the classroom. Parents can ask, “Which Brain Buddy do you need right now?” and kids can point. Teachers can keep them on a desk or wall as a quick communication tool to prevent meltdowns and bring calm back into the room.

When your child is completely dysregulated and screaming, what do you usually do? Most likely, you try deep breaths.

The kiddo in this picture only knew deep breaths when we first introduced the Brain Buddy Cards. But now, she can communicate by saying, “I need Connie” for connection or “I need Ace” for acceptance. From there, she’s able to intentionally use her tools to calm her brain down in the way that actually works for her.

💡 Why Parents & Educators Love Them

✔ Printable and easy to use at home or in class
✔ Helps kids communicate needs without shame
✔ Builds stronger emotional awareness and self-control
✔ A proven tool from the BrainPassion Kids Framework