Recognising Feelings
Help children identify and name and talk about feelings through these simple, practical activities that build emotional awareness and communication skills.
Happy
1
Let’s say it
Let’s say: “I feel happy” and make a happy face.
2
Look together
Look at her face. Her mouth is smiling and her eyes look bright. She seems happy.
3
Talk about it together
Ask “What makes you feel happy?”
Share one example, then invite the child to share theirs.
Sad
1
Let’s say it
Can you say: “I feel sad”, and make a sad face?
Look at his face. His mouth is turned down a little and his eyes look watery, like tears. He seems sad.
2
Look together
Practise saying “I feel sad. Can you sit with me?” If you ever feel sad, you can use these words.
If someone else seems sad, you could say “I’m here. I can sit with you.”
3
Talk about it together
Angry
1
Let’s say it
Let’s say it: “I feel angry” and squeeze your eyebrows in.
Look at his face. His eyebrows are pulled in together and his mouth is shut tight. He seems angry.
2
Look together
Practise saying: “I feel angry, I need time to calm down.”
Pause quietly together and take a breath.
If someone else is angry, try to stay calm yourself.
3
Talk about it together
Excited
1
Let’s say it
Let’s say: “I feel excited!” with and excited voice.
2
Look togther
Look at her face. Her eyes are bright and she’s smiling. She seems excited.
What are you looking forward to?
Take turns talking and listening about something that feels exciting.
3
Talk about it together
Worried
1
Let’s say it
Let’s say: “I feel worried?”
Look at her face. Her eyes are a little wider, her forehead is frowning and her mouth is turned down a tiny bit. She seems worried.
2
Look together
Practise saying: “I feel worried. Can you help me?”
Answer: “Tell me what’s worrying you. I’ll listen.”
Talk about what might help us when we feel worried.
3
Talk about it together
Calm
1
Let’s say it
Let’s close our eyes, let out a slow deep breath and say “I feel calm.”
2
Look together
Look at his face. His eyes are closed. His shoulders are relaxed. He seems calm.
3
Talk about it togther
What helps you feel calm?
Surprised
1
Let’s say it
Let’s say: “I’m surprised!” and open your eyes and mouth wide.
2
Look together
Look at his face. His eyebrows are raised and his mouth is open. He looks surprised.
Imagine opening a box to find a lovely present inside. Practise saying: “Oh that’s a surprise!”
3
Talk about it together
Can you think of something that surprised you?
Proud
1
Let’s say it
Let’s say: “I feel proud.” Lift your chin and smile.
Look at her face. Her chin is up and she is smiling. She has a medal that shows she won first place. She seems proud.
2
Look together
Share something you have learnt to do or feel proud of.
Say: “I feel proud because I can…”
3
Talk about it together
Frustrated
1
Let’s say it
Let’s say: “I feel frustrated.”
Look at her face. Her forehead is frowning and her mouth is tight and turned a little to one side. She looks frustrated.
2
Look together
Imagine you’re trying to build a tower but it keeps falling down.
Practise saying: “This is tricky. Can you help me.”
Answer: “Let’s try together.”
3
Talk about it together
Disappointed
1
Let’s say it
Let’s say: “I feel disappointed” in a sad voice.
Look at his face. His mouth is turned down a little and his eyes are looking at the floor. He seems disappointed.
2
Look together
Imagine you’re playing a game and it ends before you are ready to stop.
Practise saying: “I feel disappointed. Can we play again later?”
3
Talk about it together