Cootie Catcher – Emotion Free Printabl
An Emotion Cootie Catcher (also known as a fortune teller) is a playful and interactive way for kids to explore their emotions. By asking questions about feelings, it encourages meaningful discussions in a lighthearted and engaging format. This classic activity involves folding a piece of paper into a 3D shape with numbered flaps and taking turns answering questions about emotions.
You can download this free printable at the bottom of the post in the sign up box.
HOW TO USE THE EMOTION COOTIE CATCHER
This simple but effective tool opens up conversations about feelings, making it an ideal addition to emotional and social learning activities. Here is how to use it:
- Start by asking a friend to pick a number from the ones displayed on the outside of the cootie catcher.
- Count out the chosen number, moving the cootie catcher back and forth with each letter.
- Once finished, ask the person to choose a new number from the options revealed.
- Count out the second number in the same way, moving the cootie catcher accordingly.
- After the second number, ask the person to pick one last number.
- Lift the flap under that final number to reveal a question related to emotions (e.g., “What makes you feel happy?” or “What do you do when you’re sad?”).
Paper Fortune Teller Ideas for School
WHEN IS A GOOD TIME FOR THIS ACTIVITY?
The Emotion Fortune Teller is a versatile tool that can be used in various settings:
- Occupational Therapy: It offers an engaging way for therapists to work on fine motor skills and emotional awareness with kids.
- Counseling Sessions: Counselors can use it as an icebreaker to encourage children to talk about their feelings in a lighthearted way.
- Getting-to-Know-You Classroom Activity: Teachers can introduce it at the start of the school year to help students connect and learn more about each other’s emotions.
- Social Skills Groups: Facilitators can use the fun activity to teach kids how to recognize and discuss emotions while practicing turn-taking and communication.
- Indoor Recess: The fortune teller is also a great rainy-day activity that keeps kids entertained while they reflect on their emotional experiences.
WHAT SKILLS ARE KIDS WORKING ON WITH THIS ACTIVITY?
By using the Emotion Cootie Catcher, children can develop several important skills:
- Fine Motor Skills: Folding the paper and manipulating the cootie catcher requires precision and coordination, helping kids strengthen their hand muscles and improve dexterity.
- Bilateral Coordination: Folding and using the cootie catcher engages both hands simultaneously, improving coordination between the two sides of the body.
- Motor Planning: Following the step-by-step folding instructions helps children develop their ability to plan and execute motor tasks.
- Identifying Emotions: The questions inside the cootie catcher prompt kids to reflect on their feelings, improving emotional literacy.
- Social Skills: Playing with a partner encourages communication, turn-taking, and respectful listening, which are essential social skills for children.
Impulse Control Workbook – Pause, Think, Act
MORE FUN STUFF
These activities are perfect for further enhancing emotional regulation and fine motor skills in fun and creative ways. If you enjoyed the Emotion Cootie Catcher, here are some additional resources to check out:
- 10 Emotional Regulation Activities for Kids
- Paper Fortune Teller Ideas for School
- Emotion Regulation Worksheet
- Emoji Printables
- Match the Emoji Free Puzzle
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COOTIE CATCHER HERE
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