Understanding and managing emotions are essential skills for young children. Our free printable Feelings Chart Bundle can assist students in identifying and naming their emotions as they experience them.
Jump to:
Why teach feelings?
“Knowing how to identify, understand, and communicate our emotions is a skill we all need to develop,” states school counselor Amy Miller. This is not an innate ability for kids; when they struggle to express their feelings, these emotions often manifest as behaviors.
According to Miller, children who cannot articulate their feelings face challenges in focusing, problem-solving, and learning. They receive a flood of information but struggle to process it. Miller emphasizes that feelings are neither “good” nor “bad” but serve as information. By helping kids name their feelings, teachers equip them with tools to respond rather than react to situations. “Students who understand their emotions are better able to regulate themselves, ask for help, resolve conflicts, and remain engaged in learning,” Miller adds.
How do we teach feelings?
Teaching emotions is akin to teaching subjects like reading or math. Here are Miller’s key suggestions for using tools such as the feelings chart to teach emotions effectively.
1. Build vocabulary
For children to develop emotional literacy—the ability to recognize and understand their emotions—they first need language. Feelings charts aid in building this emotional vocabulary. “The more accurately a child can name what they’re experiencing,” says Miller, “the better they can grasp what they need. There’s a significant difference between feeling frustrated, disappointed, embarrassed, overwhelmed, or lonely, and each emotion requires a unique response.”
2. Make all feelings OK
It’s important for students to understand that all feelings are acceptable. “I think we’ve unintentionally taught children that the goal of emotions is to get rid of them,” Miller notes. When children go to a calming corner, declare they’re mad, and return when they “feel better,” they may learn that anger is a negative feeling. However, feelings are simply information.
3. Get curious
Instead of urging students to quickly move past uncomfortable feelings, Miller encourages curiosity. Students should ask themselves:
- What is this emotion trying to tell me?
- What do I need right now?
Subsequently, they can take steps to transition from discomfort to a calmer or more enjoyable state.
4. Move beyond morning meeting
Emotions fluctuate constantly, Miller explains, so asking students how they feel only during morning meetings is insufficient. Incorporate feelings charts throughout the day. During a read-aloud session, inquire, “Which emotion best describes this character?” Following disagreements, help identify how each person might have felt. After difficult tasks, discuss how frustration can indicate that the brain is learning something new.
In teaching emotional literacy, the feelings chart serves as a vital tool for developing vocabulary, empathy, and self-awareness.
For more tips and ideas on teaching mental health, follow Amy Miller at @School_Counselor_Mama.
What’s Included in the Feelings Chart Bundle
Each feelings chart for children features illustrations of faces or emojis representing each emotion, along with a descriptive word. These visuals assist students in identifying their emotions. We offer a basic chart and three additional versions to support students in engaging with their feelings.
Below are the different printables in the bundle and guidance on how to use each.
Get your free printable Feelings Chart Bundle!
Simply click the button on this page to download your free feelings printables.
