Character Strengths Cards

What are the Character Strengths Cards?

Character strengths are positive qualities that influence how we think, feel and behave. Drawing on the 24 character strengths identified within Positive Psychology, these colourful, illustrated cards provide an engaging way to explore and appreciate individual strengths.

Designed for Educational Psychologists, teachers and other practitioners, the cards can be used as a practical card-sorting activity and a starting point for positive, strengths-based conversations.

Supporting children and young people

The cards can help secondary-aged learners and young adults up to the age of 25 recognise their personal strengths, develop greater self-understanding and explore how their qualities can support them in learning, relationships and everyday life.

Supporting staff wellbeing and development

The cards can also be used with adults during staff wellbeing sessions, professional development activities and reflective performance review conversations. They offer opportunities to recognise individual strengths, celebrate positive qualities and explore how these can be used in professional and personal life.

Why focus on character strengths?

Understanding our character strengths helps us recognise the positive qualities we bring to everyday situations. Rather than focusing solely on difficulties or areas for improvement, a strengths-based approach encourages us to appreciate what is already working well.

Positive Psychology research suggests that recognising, developing and intentionally using our character strengths can contribute to greater wellbeing and flourishing.

The HAPPI Psychology Character Strengths Cards provide a practical starting point for exploring these qualities. They encourage young people and adults not only to identify their strengths, but also to reflect on how they already use them and how they might draw on them more deliberately in their learning, relationships, work and everyday lives.

How can I use the Character Strengths Cards?

The cards offer a flexible, engaging way to explore personal strengths through conversation, reflection and practical activities.

Educational Psychology practice

Use the cards during individual assessments, consultations and strengths-based conversations to explore a young person’s positive qualities, interests and self-perceptions.

In schools and educational settings

Use them in individual or small-group activities, pastoral support, tutor time and preparation for adulthood work. Encourage young people to recognise their strengths and consider how they can apply them to learning, relationships and everyday challenges.

Staff wellbeing and professional development

Use the cards during staff wellbeing sessions, team reflection and strengths-based professional development conversations to help adults recognise and make greater use of their personal strengths.

What’s included in your Character Strengths Cards pack?

Each pack contains:

• 24 colourful, illustrated character strengths cards, based on the VIA classification of character strengths.

• 3 sorting cards — A Lot Like Me, A Bit Like Me and Not At All Like Me.

• 2 additional cards for identifying the five strengths most like the individual and the five strengths least like them.

• A printed instruction booklet explaining how to use the cards and guide meaningful strengths-based discussions.

All supplied in a colourful, illustrated storage box.

A ready-to-use, reusable resource for Educational Psychologists, teachers and other professionals supporting young people and adults.