This will be a place where we will share messages, resources, and links to places where you can learn about social and emotional well-being and help foster children's social and emotional development. A few of the videos focused on Emotions and Feelings are linked below, find many other topics on the Sesame Streets in Communities Website.
Exploring Big Feelings
Watching the video, then let children know that it’s okay to have lots of different feelings at once. Together, draw feelings you’ve had in the past day or so. When you’re finished, talk about your pictures. What feeling does the drawing show? When did you feel that way? What was happening then?
Feelings Have Names
Watch the video below and ask kids to use their faces and bodies to show some different emotions (happy, sad, excited, angry, anxious, grouchy, relaxed).
Guess which emotions kids are showing. Say how you know: “I think you’re really happy because of the big smile on your face!” or “I think you’re grouchy because you pushed your eyebrows down and crossed your arms.” As you play, kids will be learning the signs and names of different emotions, which will help them talk about their feelings later on.
Any time you can, name your emotions for kids to show them how to do it. For example, if you’re waiting in a long line at the store, you might say, “I’m feeling impatient right now because there’s a long wait, and we’re in a hurry.” Tell kids what you do when you feel that way, for example: “When I’m feeling impatient, I take three deep breaths.” Ask kids how they’re feeling, and have them try a way of working with that emotion.
Expressing Emotions
Every day brings chances for children to express their emotions. Here are five ways you can encourage children to share their feelings with you.
Act It Out
Children often work through their biggest feelings while pretending. Fill a box with clothing that you no longer wear, like work shirts and hats, along with materials like wooden spoons, pillowcases, and paper-towel rolls. As children play, help them talk about emotions by asking, “How does this character feel? Why is she feeling ______?”
Share Emotions
Children will be more likely to share emotions if they see grown-ups doing it, too. During mealtime, go around the table and share one thing you did and one emotion you felt that day.
Build on Books
Use books as a window into emotions. Choose books in which the characters struggle with big emotions. Ask children, “How does this character feel? Why do you think they feel this way? Have you ever felt this way?”
Feel the Beat
Children may have an easier time showing you how they feel if they do it in physical ways. Turn on music and encourage children to express their feelings with movements. Help them to name their feelings as they dance.
Heart to Art
Kids can draw their feelings. Say, “Can you draw a happy thing that happened today?” If children come home with art you might say, “Tell me how this person is feeling,” or, “This drawing reminds me of a time when I felt _______.”
Naming Feelings
Watch the video together, then ask kids to name the feelings they saw. Or, they might try naming some from the video and then try to add more.
Ask kids: “Did you have any of those feelings today? Which ones?” Let them know that people can have lots of different feelings—sometimes all in one day or all at one time! Remind them that all of those feelings are okay.
