How the ZERA Card Game Works
How the ZERA Card Game Works
The ZERA Emotional Intelligence Card Game is a powerful tool designed to bridge ancient African wisdom with modern emotional intelligence practices. With 150 beautifully designed cards—each rooted in African proverbs from across the continent and the African diaspora—the game offers a guided path to develop skills across the five pillars of Emotional Intelligence: Self Awareness, Self-Regulation, Empathy, Motivation, and Social Skills.
What’s Inside the Box
- 150 African-inspired Emotional Intelligence cards.
- Five distinct EI pillar categories (30 cards per pillar).
- Reflection questions and practical exercises for each card.
- QR codes linking to digital resources for deeper exploration.
- Instruction guides with different ways to play and adapt the game.
How to Play
01
Choose a Setting
ZERA works anywhere: in family living rooms, classrooms, therapy offices, community centers, or corporate workshops.
02
Select a Pillar
Focus on one Emotional Intelligence pillar at a time or mix cards from all five pillars for a holistic experience.
03
Draw a Card
Each card features an African proverb, its cultural origin, and a guided question or activity.
04
Reflect and discuss
Players take turns sharing thoughts, personal stories, or insights inspired by the card’s proverb.
05
Practice and Apply
Complete the suggested exercises to embody the lesson and integrate it into daily life.
Examples in Action
- Family Bonding: A family gathers after dinner and draws a Self-Awareness card with the proverb, “The tree that would grow high must strengthen its roots.” They reflect on what roots mean in their family, sharing stories of grandparents and lessons learned.
- Therapy Session: A therapist uses an Empathy card that says, ‘When the heart overflows, it comes out through the mouth ‘& (Ethiopian proverb). The client discusses how unspoken emotions impact communication, leading to strategies for better self-expression.
- Classroom Activity: Students in a social-emotional learning class draw Motivation cards. One reads, ‘However long the night, the dawn will break’ (African proverb). Students share time they overcame challenges, inspiring resilience.
- Corporate Workshop: In a team-building session, participants use Social Skills cards to role-play scenarios, practicing conflict resolution through the wisdom of proverbs.
Transformative Gains
By using ZERA regularly, participants can expect to:
01
Develop deeper self-awareness and understanding of emotions.
02
Strengthen the ability to regulate emotional responses in challenging situations.
03
Build stronger, more empathetic relationships.
04
Foster motivation and resilience in the face of adversity.
05
Enhance social and communication skills grounded in cultural wisdom.