Expressing Feelings with the Mood Monster
There are playful and meaningful ways to make morning drop-offs and other separations a little easier.
Being apart can bring up big feelings for young children. Helping them learn about and express those big feelings can help make goodbyes a bit smoother. This printable page can be a great tool to help children name—and later understand and regulate—their big feelings.
Try this activity together with your child and put the finished mood monster it in a place she’ll see when she’s getting ready for the day (on the mirror where kids brush their teeth, or near their drawers of clothes, for example). Then, check in with her. Ask, “Can you use your mood monster to show me how you’re feeling today?” Tuning into how she’s feeling can help her feel cared for—and might even help you get ahead of some morning meltdowns.
Toddler Tips: Meltdowns
Strategies for during and after a meltdown…and even some ways meltdowns might be avoided.
Using Your Words
A coloring page helping children explore words for big feelings.
Safe & Together
When families have to leave home in order to stay safe, it helps to remember that home is where the love is.
Bubble Time
A quiet activity such as blowing bubbles can help both children and adults breathe deeply, slow down… and calm down.
Monster Meltdown
Meltdowns happen… but they are somewhat predictable! As you try to handle them, curiosity and patience go a long way.
Listen, Feel, and See with Elmo
When children are in the hospital, this mindfulness game can help them soothe themselves.
Cookie Monster’s Beach Day
When children are in the hospital, their imagination can become a valuable tool in soothing themselves.
