← Back to resourcesPivotMindra Wellbeing Series
Kids’ Emotional Challenges — EFT Tapping Scripts

EFT tapping for children’s emotions

A collection of 12 common childhood emotional challenges, each paired with a simple, child-friendly EFT tapping script. The words are written in first person so a child can say them themself or a parent can read along.

How to use these scripts

  • Tap gently with two fingers on each point while saying the phrase.
  • Standard tapping sequence: Karate Chop → Top of Head → Eyebrow → Side of Eye → Under Eye → Under Nose → Chin → Collarbone → Under Arm.
  • Say the Setup phrase 3 times while tapping the Karate Chop point, then move through the Round with one phrase per point.
  • Encourage the child to rate how big the feeling is before and after, using a 0–5 scale. Hands held apart works well for little ones.
  • Repeat the round 2–3 times, shortening the phrases as the feeling shrinks.

Where to tap

Karate Chop

Side of hand

Top of Head

Top of head

Eyebrow

Start of eyebrow

Side of Eye

Outside eye bone

Under Eye

Below eye on cheek

Under Nose

Between nose and upper lip

Chin

Below lower lip

Collarbone

Where collarbones meet

Under Arm

Side of ribcage

Make the screen your guide

Follow the words on the screen while tapping each point. A short round timer can help keep the pace calm and steady without rushing the child.

Tapping timer

Start a short round and follow one phrase per point.

45s

Use this as a gentle tapping pace.

Breathing guide

A gentle visual breathing guide (works well as a lead magnet).

Try 4-7-8 breathing for 1–2 minutes.

Guided tapping sessions

Short, screen-guided rounds mapped to common topics.

Anxiety / Worry
Setup: Even though I have worried feelings in my tummy, I am still a kid who is loved and safe.
Anger / Frustration
Setup: Even though I feel really angry right now, I choose to let my body calm down a little.
Fear of the Dark
Setup: Even though the dark feels scary, I am safe in my room right now.
Trouble Sleeping
Setup: Even though my brain feels busy and won’t switch off, I can let my body relax.
Low Self-Esteem / "I’m Not Good Enough"
Setup: Even though I sometimes think I’m not good enough, I am learning that I am amazing just as I am.
Test / Exam Nerves
Setup: Even though I feel nervous about my test, I can still do my best.
Shyness / Social Anxiety
Setup: Even though I feel shy around new people, I am still brave enough to try.
Sibling Rivalry / Jealousy
Setup: Even though I feel jealous of my brother or sister sometimes, I know there’s enough love for all of us.
Big Emotions / Meltdowns
Setup: Even though everything feels like too much right now, I can let this big feeling get smaller.
Separation Anxiety / School Drop-off
Setup: Even though I feel scared when we’re apart, I know you always come back for me.
Dealing with Unkindness / Bullying
Setup: Even though someone was unkind to me, it doesn’t change how wonderful I am.
Sadness / Loss / Grief
Setup: Even though I feel really sad, it’s okay for me to feel this way.

Anxiety / Worry

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though I have worried feelings in my tummy, I am still a kid who is loved and safe."

Round

  1. 1.These worried feelings
  2. 2.My tummy feels jumpy
  3. 3.I keep thinking about what might go wrong
  4. 4.These worried feelings in my body
  5. 5.I am allowed to feel worried
  6. 6.And I am still okay right now
  7. 7.I can breathe and let some worry go
  8. 8.I am safe in this moment

Anger / Frustration

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though I feel really angry right now, I choose to let my body calm down a little."

Round

  1. 1.This angry feeling
  2. 2.It feels hot and big inside me
  3. 3.I wanted things to be different
  4. 4.This frustrated, fiery feeling
  5. 5.It’s okay to feel angry
  6. 6.I can let some of this anger go
  7. 7.My body is starting to feel calmer
  8. 8.I am in charge of my anger, it’s not in charge of me

Fear of the Dark

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though the dark feels scary, I am safe in my room right now."

Round

  1. 1.This scared feeling about the dark
  2. 2.My imagination makes shapes feel scary
  3. 3.I feel a flutter in my chest
  4. 4.This nighttime scared feeling
  5. 5.It’s okay to feel a little scared
  6. 6.My room is the same safe room as daytime
  7. 7.I am safe, my house is safe
  8. 8.I can feel calm and brave in the dark

Trouble Sleeping

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though my brain feels busy and won’t switch off, I can let my body relax."

Round

  1. 1.My busy brain at bedtime
  2. 2.So many thoughts buzzing around
  3. 3.My body feels wide awake
  4. 4.This wriggly, can’t-sleep feeling
  5. 5.I give my brain permission to rest
  6. 6.My body is heavy and sleepy
  7. 7.I am safe and comfortable in my bed
  8. 8.It’s okay to drift off to sleep now

Low Self-Esteem / "I’m Not Good Enough"

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though I sometimes think I’m not good enough, I am learning that I am amazing just as I am."

Round

  1. 1.This feeling that I’m not good enough
  2. 2.Sometimes I compare myself to others
  3. 3.I feel small or not special
  4. 4.This not-enough feeling
  5. 5.I am allowed to feel proud of me
  6. 6.I am learning and growing every day
  7. 7.There is only one me, and that’s pretty cool
  8. 8.I choose to feel good about being me

Test / Exam Nerves

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though I feel nervous about my test, I can still do my best."

Round

  1. 1.These test-day nerves
  2. 2.My tummy has butterflies
  3. 3.What if I get it wrong
  4. 4.This nervous, shaky feeling
  5. 5.It’s okay to feel nervous
  6. 6.I know more than I think I do
  7. 7.I can breathe and feel steady
  8. 8.I am calm, clever, and ready

Shyness / Social Anxiety

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though I feel shy around new people, I am still brave enough to try."

Round

  1. 1.This shy feeling
  2. 2.My cheeks feel hot when people look at me
  3. 3.I worry about what to say
  4. 4.This nervous, shy feeling in my body
  5. 5.It’s okay to feel shy sometimes
  6. 6.I don’t have to be loud to be brave
  7. 7.One small smile or hello is enough
  8. 8.I am becoming more comfortable being me around others

Sibling Rivalry / Jealousy

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though I feel jealous of my brother or sister sometimes, I know there’s enough love for all of us."

Round

  1. 1.This jealous feeling
  2. 2.It feels unfair sometimes
  3. 3.I want to be noticed too
  4. 4.This jealous, grumbly feeling
  5. 5.It’s okay to feel jealous sometimes
  6. 6.I am special in my own way
  7. 7.There’s enough love in my family for everyone
  8. 8.I can feel calm about my brother or sister

Big Emotions / Meltdowns

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though everything feels like too much right now, I can let this big feeling get smaller."

Round

  1. 1.This big, big feeling
  2. 2.It feels like too much all at once
  3. 3.My body wants to shout or cry
  4. 4.This overwhelmed feeling
  5. 5.It’s okay for feelings to be big sometimes
  6. 6.I am learning to let big feelings move through me
  7. 7.My body is starting to feel a little calmer
  8. 8.I am safe, and this feeling is getting smaller

Separation Anxiety / School Drop-off

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though I feel scared when we’re apart, I know you always come back for me."

Round

  1. 1.This worried feeling about being apart
  2. 2.My tummy hurts when you leave
  3. 3.I miss you when I can’t see you
  4. 4.This missing-you feeling
  5. 5.It’s okay to miss someone
  6. 6.You always come back for me
  7. 7.I am safe and looked after right now
  8. 8.I can feel calm even when we’re apart

Dealing with Unkindness / Bullying

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

This script supports emotional processing only — always check safety and tell a trusted adult if you need help.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though someone was unkind to me, it doesn’t change how wonderful I am."

Round

  1. 1.What that person said or did
  2. 2.It made me feel small or hurt
  3. 3.I keep thinking about it
  4. 4.This hurt, upset feeling
  5. 5.It’s okay that this hurt my feelings
  6. 6.What they said is not the truth about who I am
  7. 7.I am worthy of kindness
  8. 8.I am strong, and I am okay

Sadness / Loss / Grief

A simple child-friendly tapping script in first person.

Setup (Karate Chop x3)

"Even though I feel really sad, it’s okay for me to feel this way."

Round

  1. 1.This sad feeling
  2. 2.I feel it in my chest or my tummy
  3. 3.I miss how things used to be
  4. 4.This heavy, sad feeling
  5. 5.It’s okay to feel sad
  6. 6.I am allowed to feel my feelings
  7. 7.I am held and supported right now
  8. 8.It’s okay to feel better a little at a time