How to Teach Emotions

While some children have no trouble, many children struggle understanding facial expressions and emotions. This is especially true of children who fall under the autism umbrella and those with sensory processing disorder.

Teaching Emotions  Color and cut out the faces of the Emotions Printable on cardstock or glue onto popsicle sticks for strength.

These cards can be used several ways:

• Imitate the face
• Talk about a time that you had this emotion
• Draw the face
• As you read a book or Bible story, choose the emotion each character is feeling
• Ask “How do you feel when…” questions

"How do you feel when..." Sample Questions:

  • You just found out that your grandparents are coming today and bringing you a very special surprise.
  • You dropped a big object on your foot.
  • Your little brother/sister broke a tower you just finished making.
  • You picked up all of your toys without being asked.
  • A group of friends won't let you play with them.
  • A friend calls and invites you to come over and play.
  • Some people you don't know are coming over today for supper.

Each question may have more than one answer.  Have the child explain why they chose each emotion.

My Emotions and Me:

Have the child lay on a piece of butcher block paper.  Trace around the child.  Ask the child to finish the following statements and write the answers on the traced body according to the directions below.  Color each part of the body to designate the color the child associates with the emotion.  Have the child color her name her favorite color.  Add a face and yarn hair.  You will learn a lot about the child if you probe deeper into the responses.  The child’s love language may come out too!

My name is.... (between shoulders)
I feel happy when... (right hand)
I get angry when... (left hand)
I love it when... (chest)
I am worried when... (waist)
I feel sad when... (right thigh)
I feel lonely when... (left thigh)
I feel disappointed when... (right foot)
I get excited when... (left foot)

Songs

If You're Happy and You Know It
(Thank you to Cindy for sharing this idea.)

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap, clap) (Repeat 2x)
If you’re happy and you know it then your life will really show it
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap, clap)

Additional verse:
...angry…stomp your feet…
...tearful...dry your tears...
...sad...make a frown...  (pull sides of mouth down into frown)
...surprised...raise your hands... (raise your eyebrows, open mouth wide, and put arms up)
...afraid...gasp/scream out loud...(cover or surround mouth with hands)
...angry...make a fist...(clinch both hands)
 

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Books

Reading picture books is an excellent way to teach emotions.  Click to learn "How to Go Beyond the Story When Reading a Book."  Here are three books to get you started.

What Am I Feeling?  - This amazing book helps children recognize their emotions, name them, and deal with the feelings inside. The characters learn how to ask God to help them and remember that “a feeling is just a feeling — it’s not in charge of you.” The book includes a precious poster illustrating 9 feelings. Use this to help children determine which emotion they are feeling.

God, I Feel Sad is the first in the series "Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God."  Us this book to explain God created emotions, facial expressions for sadness, and healthy activities to do when you feel sad.  

* Green Eggs and Ham - Read information on how to use this book here .

* Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear

* What Do You Do With a Grumpy Kangaroo? What Do You Do with a Grumpy Kangaroo - Tony must help a kangaroo deal with different emotions.  Use the illustrations in the book to discuss various feelings.  Match the Emotions Printable faces with the feelings the kangaroo experiences.

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

Talk about the emotions the “house” feels - happy, sad, etc.  
It is our responsibility to take care of what God has given us.  
Discuss how things change over time and with the seasons.  Using the illustrations, decide what month or season is depicted on each page.
The author, Virginia Lee Burton, is also the illustrator of this book.

 

 

The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions (The Color Monster, 1)
 
 

The Color Monster

The Color Monster by Anna Llenas is a delightful story that helps young children understand and express their emotions through colors. The Color Monster wakes up feeling confused, so he seeks help to sort out his feelings, represented by different colors. With vibrant illustrations and interactive pop-ups, this engaging book not only teaches kids about emotions but also encourages them to identify and talk about their own feelings.