FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Preschoolers are just beginning to learn about their feelings and emotions, so it’s important to provide them with plenty of activities in the classroom that help them understand and label these sensations. It is more essential than ever for people to understand and process emotions, and that starts when children are young. Children have big emotions that they need to work through, so learning some solid social-emotional skills is important. Using these feelings and emotions activities for preschoolers, the kids in your care can begin to better understand their own feelings.
WHAT ARE FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS?
There are a variety of feelings and emotions activities for preschoolers that can help them understand their own emotions better. These activities can range from crafts and games to books and songs. It is important to find activities that fit the age and development level of the preschoolers in your care. Parents and preschool teachers need to provide ample practice time to learn emotional regulation skills for preschoolers.
WHY ARE FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS ACTIVITIES IMPORTANT FOR PRESCHOOLERS?
It is essential for children to understand and label their emotions from a young age. Feelings and emotions activities for preschoolers help them to do just that! These activities provide a fun and interactive way for kids to learn about their emotions, and explore all of their different feelings. Additionally, these activities can help reduce stress and anxiety in both young children and adults.
USING A FEELINGS CHART
One example of a feelings and emotions activity for preschoolers is a feelings chart. This can be as simple as a piece of paper with different emotions written on it, or it can be more elaborate with pictures or even stuffed animals representing different emotions with their facial expressions. Preschoolers can look at the chart and identify which emotion they are feeling. This activity can also be done in groups, with each child taking a turn to identify an emotion that the others in the group have to guess.
Too Slow, Just Right or Too Fast – Visual Supports for Self-Regulation
MAKING A FEELINGS BOOK
Another way to help preschoolers understand their emotions is to make a feelings book. This can be done individually or in groups. Each child or group of children can choose an emotion and then draw a picture or write a story about it. This is a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression. Children also work on using and expanding their vocabulary.
READING STORIES ABOUT FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS FOR PRESCHOOLERS
There are many books available that focus on different emotions. Reading these stories with preschoolers can help them understand their own feelings better. Try to find books that have simple illustrations and text so that preschoolers can easily follow along. Also, if you choose stories that involve characters in early childhood, your children will be able to relate to the emotions the characters are experiencing. After reading the story, discuss the different emotions that were felt by the characters. This activity also helps preschoolers develop their literacy skills.
SINGING SONGS ABOUT FEELINGS
Songs are another great way to help preschoolers understand their emotions. There are many songs available that focus on different emotions. Singing these songs with preschoolers can help them understand and label their own emotions.
Try to find songs that have simple lyrics and a catchy tune so that preschoolers can easily sing along. Songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” and “This Is My Happy Face” are effective. They clearly demonstrate emotions and moods to kids.
Emotions Fine Motor Activities – Flip and Fill
FREEZE DANCE FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS ACTIVITY FOR PRESCHOOLERS
This is a great game to get preschoolers up and moving while also helping them to understand their emotions. To play, put on some music and have the children dance around the room. Instruct them to dance the way they feel. For example, if they are angry, they may stomp around. For excited, they can jump up and down.
When the music stops, the children must freeze in their position and strike a pose that represents a specific emotion. The other children in the group must then try to guess what emotion they are feeling.
CRAFTING EMOTION PUPPETS
This is a fun activity that preschoolers can do to express their emotions. To make the puppets, you will need some craft supplies such as construction paper, markers, and scissors.
First, have the children choose an emotion they would like to make a puppet for. Next, they can draw a face on their construction paper to represent that emotion. They can then cut out the eyes, nose, and mouth. Finally, they can color or decorate their puppet however they like. Once the puppets are finished, the children can use them to act out different scenes or emotions. This is a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression.
PLAYING DRESS-UP FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS ACTIVITY FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Another activity that can help preschoolers understand emotions is dress-up. Give them a variety of clothes, accessories, and props and let them choose what to wear. As they play, encourage them to act out different emotions.
FEELINGS FACES GAME
This game is a great way to help kids identify and label different emotions. Draw a happy face next to the word “happy.” Then, draw a sad face next to the word “sad,” a mad face next to the word “mad,” and so on. Next, have each child take turns making different faces. As they make each face, have them name the emotion that they are feeling.
Emotions Packet
MAKING EMOTION MASKS
This activity is a great way to help kids express their emotions. Give each child a piece of paper and some crayons or markers. Encourage them to draw a happy face on one side of the paper and a sad face on the other side. Then, have them cut out the masks. Once the masks are cut out, have the kids put on the happy mask and act out a happy emotion. Then, have them put on the sad mask and act out a sad emotion. The masks can be made of paper plates as well. Try printing these emoji printables.
EMOTIONS SCAVENGER HUNT
This activity is a fun way to get kids moving while they learn about emotions. To play, hide various items around the room or outdoors. Each item should be associated with a different emotion. For example, you could hide a picture of a smiling baby for the emotion “happy,” a picture of a storm cloud for the emotion “angry,” and so on.
In Person or Teletherapy Scavenger Hunts
REFLECTION FEELINGS GAME
Children look in a mirror. They can make different faces to see what each emotion looks like on them. They can identify what emotion they are feeling, and see what their face looks like when they feel that emotion. Trying this with other children by looking in the same mirror can also be fun and encourage social skills.
HOW TO APPROACH TEACHING FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS TO PRESCHOOLERS
When teaching feelings and emotions to preschoolers, it is important to keep a few things in mind. First, be sure to use age-appropriate activities. Second, be patient and take your time. Teaching emotions can be a gradual process. Do not expect preschoolers to understand everything right away. Finally, have fun! Feelings and emotions activities for preschoolers should be enjoyable for both kids and adults.
By following these tips, you can help your preschooler understand their emotions better. These social-emotional activities will provide a fun and interactive way for them to learn about their feelings. Additionally, these activities can help reduce stress and anxiety in both children and adults.
