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Expressing Emotions
Learn five easy ways to encourage children to share their feelings with you.
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 _______.”
![Julia and Julia's family helping the community.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Video-HelpingHomeNeighbohood-667x500.jpg)
Helping at Home, Helping the Neighborhood
Little acts can make a big difference.
![Printable Helping Caring.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Printable-HelpingCaring-ENG-667x500.jpg)
Helping and Caring
Use this checklist with children to set small goals together and help your community!
![Printable Julias Community Mural.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Printable-JuliasCommunityMural-ENG-667x500.jpg)
Julia’s Community Mural
There are so many ways to be kind, caring, and helpful in our communities!
![Little Neighbors Can Do Big Things.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Video-LittleNeighborsBigThings-667x500.jpg)
Little Neighbors Can Do Big Things
A new friend joins the Little Neighbors Club!
![Printable Playground Helpers.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Printable-PlaygroundHelpers-ENG-667x500.jpg)
Playground Helpers
Help the Twiddlebugs find their lost materials to build their playground!
![Abby and Maggie Cadabby helping the community.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PSEG-Video-LittleHelpersBigHelping-667x500.jpg)
Little Helpers, Big Helping
Kids are never too little to make a big difference!
![A Grown-up and child helping out in a community garden.](https://sesameworkshop.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Webinar_LittleNeighbors-667x500.jpg)
Little Neighbors: Fostering Community Connection, Engagement, and Exploration