Naming and Expressing Feelings
Teach children to understand and manage their big feelings.
- Print out this page and ask kids to point to a face and name the emotion. Give examples of when one of you has felt (or might feel) that way: “I feel ecstatic (really happy and excited) when it’s my birthday,” or “I felt sad when I broke my favorite toy” or “I feel frustrated if I have to wait to use the swing.” Explain that all the feelings are okay.
- Invite children to look at the feeling faces and choose one feeling to show on their own face. Try to guess what that feeling is. Can kids think of a time when they felt that way?
- Repeat with the different feelings. When challenging behavior occurs in the future, ask kids to name their feelings. You can refer to the chart, too.
Toddler Tips: Meltdowns
Strategies for during and after a meltdown…and even some ways meltdowns might be avoided.
Monster Meltdown
Meltdowns happen… but they are somewhat predictable! As you try to handle them, curiosity and patience go a long way.
Watch and Play: Abby's Magical Beasties
Watch this episode and explore ways to extend the learning at home.
Milestones: Your Three-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Milestones: Your Five-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Milestones: Your Four-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Milestones: Your Six-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
