Helping children understand feelings and build resilience

Roxy Says is an interactive wellbeing app designed for children aged 7–11 and the adults who support them. Through engaging stories, activities and simple emotional skills, the app helps children recognise feelings, understand their thoughts and develop practical ways to feel calmer, more confident and more resilient.

Created by Mind Angels Charity, Roxy Says is based on wellbeing approaches originally developed through workshops delivered to adult mental health service users. The same core life skills that helped adults understand and manage emotions have been carefully adapted so children can learn them in a supportive and age-appropriate way.

The aim is simple: help children develop emotional awareness early in life and build skills that support wellbeing as they grow.

* How the app works *

The app uses story-based learning. Children follow the character Roxy through relatable situations that explore everyday feelings and challenges.

Within each story, certain words are highlighted. When tapped, a glossary pop-up explains the emotion in simple language children can understand. This helps children connect the story with their own experiences.

The app includes an emotional glossary introducing children to words connected to feelings such as happiness, sadness, fear, anger and surprise. Understanding emotional language helps children talk about how they feel.

Alongside emotional awareness, the app introduces practical wellbeing skills including:

• mindfulness
• affirmations
• positive thinking
• relaxation and breathing
• talking about feelings

These simple skills can become helpful habits for managing stress and building confidence.

* Reflection and activities *

After each story, children are invited to think about the characters and how they felt. Adults can use the questions to open conversations and support children in exploring their own feelings.

The app also includes activities such as puzzles, drawing prompts and creative tasks that reinforce emotional learning through play.

Designed for ages 7–11

The app has been designed for primary school age children, using clear language, calm visuals and short story sections suitable for young attention spans.

Children can explore independently or together with a parent, teacher or carer.

* Suitable for many environments *

Families – Parents and carers can use the stories to encourage conversations about feelings and wellbeing.

Primary schools – Teachers can use the stories and activities as a resource to support emotional literacy and wellbeing learning.

Child counsellors and therapists – The stories and glossary can help children identify and discuss emotions.

SEND settings – The clear storytelling structure and emotional vocabulary can also support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

* Evidence-informed development *

The ideas behind Roxy Says grew from wellbeing programmes delivered by Mind Angels to adult mental health service users. Feedback from these workshops showed that learning simple emotional skills can help people better understand and manage their feelings.

The project has since been refined through work with schools, families and SEND environments, creating a resource that supports emotional learning for children.

* What children may gain *

Children using the app may develop:

• greater emotional awareness
• confidence discussing feelings
• empathy for others
• positive coping strategies
• simple skills for calming their mind

These abilities support both emotional wellbeing and healthy social development.

* Start the journey *

Understanding emotions is a skill that supports children throughout life.

Roxy Says offers a gentle, story-based way to begin that journey — helping children build confidence, compassion and resilience one story at a time.