According to research in HWC Building Block 3, healthy emotional expression leads to better self-control and more positive relationships with others.
Helping children acknowledge their feelings is an important step to successful emotional regulation.
Learning how to properly express emotions in healthy and effective ways takes time and practice as well as safe and supportive environments.
The strategy that we are going to focus on is LABELLING FEELINGS.
What are ways that can help us teach children how to label their emotions?
1. Reading Books
2. Using Visuals
- When using the feelings visual, you can use children's faces as well.
3. Singing Songs
I Have a Happy Face
(Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I have a happy face,
Just watch me grin.
I have a great big smile,
From my forehead to my chin.
When I am upset,
And things are bad,
Then my happy face
Turns to sad.
The Feelings Hokey Pokey
You put your happy face in,
You take your happy face out,
You put your happy face in,
And you shake it all about!
You do the hokey pokey, and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about!
(repeat for sad face, mad face, surprised face, etc..)
4. Puppets -
felt puppets feelings puppets
5. Mirrors
- Using mirrors will help children see what happens to their face when they show a certain emotion.
I Look in the Mirror
(use individual mirrors, if you can)
I look in the mirror and what do I see? I see a happy face smiling back at me.
I look in the mirror and what do I see? I see a surprised face looking back at me.
(continue with other feelings)
6. Art/Loose Parts
- Allow children to have some freedom in using materials. Loose Parts are a great way to see what kind of expression children are able to show us. Always give the children a chance to tell you about their work.
7. Social Stories - Teddy Bear Feelings
Tell us a story of when you were able to incorporate these strategies with the children you work with. :)
Also, don't forget to check out EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM SUPPORT Facebook Page to see more song videos and more strategies.