Helping kids understand their feelings is key to building emotional intelligence. A feelings chart is a great tool for teaching kids to recognize, label, and express emotions in healthy ways.
Below is a structured, practical guide for parents, complete with tables, examples, and a free engaging poster containing illustrations to make this topic fun and accessible for children.
1. What Is a Feelings Chart?
A feelings chart is a visual tool that shows a variety of emotions. Each emotion is usually represented by a facial expression and a word label. Using this chart, kids can point to a face that matches their feelings, which helps them name and understand their big feelings.
2. Why Is It Important to Teach Kids About Emotions?
Understanding emotions helps kids:
- Positively express feelings.
- Communicate better with others.
- Manage difficult emotions, like anger or frustration.
- Build empathy and social skills.
3. Basic Feelings Chart for Young Kids
Here’s a simple feelings chart with common emotions, suitable for kids aged 3-7 (You can find a printable version of this table at the end of this article):
| Emotion | Face Icon | Description for Kids |
|---|---|---|
| Happy | 😊 | “When you feel warm and excited inside.” |
| Sad | 😢 | “When you feel like crying or being alone.” |
| Angry | 😡 | “When you feel mad, like you want to shout.” |
| Surprised | 😮 | “When something unexpected happens.” |
| Scared | 😨 | “When you feel worried about something.” |
| Calm | 😌 | “When you feel peaceful and relaxed.” |
Adding More Complex Emotions for Older Kids
As children grow, introduce more nuanced feelings:
| Emotion | Face Icon | Kid-Friendly Description |
|---|---|---|
| Frustrated | 😠 | “When something is hard and makes you feel mad.” |
| Excited | 🤩 | “When you can’t wait for something fun!” |
| Embarrassed | 😳 | “When you feel shy or silly about something.” |
| Lonely | 😔 | “When you feel alone and want company.” |
| Proud | 😌 | “When you feel really good about something you’ve done.” |
| Confused | 😕 | “When something doesn’t make sense.” |
5. Using Real-Life Examples to Make It Relatable
To help kids connect with these feelings, try using real-life examples:
- Sad: “Remember when your favorite toy broke, and you felt like crying? That was sadness.”
- Excited: “Like the morning of your birthday when you couldn’t wait for the party—that’s excitement!”
- Lonely: “Sometimes, if you don’t have anyone to play with, you might feel lonely.”
6. Interactive Activities to Teach Emotional Awareness
A. Feeling Faces Match-Up Game
- Materials: Small cards with different feeling faces.
- Instructions: Lay cards face down. Take turns flipping two cards over. If they match, name the emotion on the card.
B. Drawing Your Feelings
- Activity: Ask your child to draw how they feel today. You can guide them by saying, “If you’re feeling happy, maybe you want to use bright colors. If you’re feeling mad, what colors would you use?”
C. Feelings Jar
- Materials: A jar, paper slips, and crayons.
- Instructions: Throughout the day, have your child draw or write feelings on the slips and put them in the jar. Review together in the evening to discuss their emotional journey for the day.
D. Simple Role-Playing Scenarios
- Set up some role-playing scenarios to practice identifying and expressing emotions:
- Scenario 1: Your child wants a toy but has to wait their turn.
- Ask: “How do you feel about waiting for the toy?”
- Encourage: Have them pick from the chart and describe why they feel that way.
- Scenario 2: Their friend can’t come over as planned.
7. Using “I Feel…” Statements
Teaching kids how to express emotions using “I feel…” statements encourages healthy communication. Here’s a quick guide:
| Situation | “I Feel” Statement |
|---|---|
| Didn’t get picked in a game | “I feel sad because I wanted to play too.” |
| Someone took their toy | “I feel angry because I was playing with that.” |
| Won a prize | “I feel proud because I did my best.” |
| Getting scared by a loud noise | “I feel scared when I hear loud sounds.” |
9. Books That Teach Emotional Vocabulary
Books are excellent for reinforcing feelings and vocabulary. Here are some great reads:
- The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
- In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
- When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang
10. Printable Feelings Chart for Kids
Here’s a handy printable version for you to use at home. Just click on the link below to download:
Place this chart on the fridge, bedroom door, or wherever your child can access it to help them check in with their feelings.
This is the low-resolution version of the download for your reference:
Conclusion
A feelings chart is a wonderful way to help your child recognize and talk about their emotions. By practicing regularly, children can better understand their feelings, communicate more openly, and develop stronger emotional resilience. As they grow, they’ll gain a valuable skill set that helps them navigate the world with empathy and self-awareness.
