Helping Kids Identify and Name Emotions: A Parent’s Guide
Have you ever asked your child, “How are you feeling?” only to be met with a shrug or “I don’t know”? Learning to identify and name emotions is a big step for kids, and it’s one that can transform how they communicate, connect, and manage life’s ups and downs.
In this blog, you’ll discover why teaching kids about emotions is so important, three simple and fun ways to help them build these skills, and easy-to-use scripts to make it all feel natural. Plus, don’t miss the FREE printable feelings chart attached at the bottom to help your child practice at home!
Why Understanding Emotions Is So Important
Kids who can identify and name their emotions are better able to:
• Manage their feelings: When a child knows they’re feeling frustrated, they’re more likely to calm themselves down instead of lashing out.
• Build empathy: Recognizing their own emotions helps kids understand how others might feel, which is essential for friendships and kindness.
• Communicate clearly: Saying “I feel nervous about school” is much more effective than a meltdown at the breakfast table.
• Feel supported: Talking about emotions strengthens the parent-child bond and reassures kids that all feelings are welcome and manageable.
Three Simple and Fun Activities
Here are some parent-approved activities to help your child learn about emotions. The best part? They’re fun, easy to fit into your day, and help open the door to meaningful conversations!
1. Emotion Charades
• What to Do: Write down emotions (happy, sad, excited, scared, angry, etc.) on slips of paper. Take turns acting out each feeling while the other guesses. You can even exaggerate expressions to make it extra silly and fun!
• Why It Works: Kids learn to connect facial expressions and body language with specific emotions, a key step in understanding feelings.
• Parenting Script: “Let’s play a game to practice recognizing emotions! I’ll act out a feeling, and you guess what it is. Then it’s your turn! This will help us learn how different feelings look and feel.”
2. Feelings Collage
• What to Do: Grab magazines, scissors, glue, and paper. Help your child find pictures that represent different emotions (a smiling face for happy, stormy skies for angry, etc.). Talk about why they picked each picture as they create their collage.
• Why It Works: This creative activity helps kids associate emotions with visuals and opens the door to discussions about what feelings look like.
• Parenting Script: “Let’s make a collage of feelings! We’ll find pictures that remind us of emotions like happy, sad, or nervous. As we go, we can talk about times we’ve felt those feelings. It’s a great way to learn more about what emotions look and feel like!”
3. Feelings Check-In with a Chart
• What to Do: Use the FREE printable feelings chart (download below!) with faces and names of emotions. During breakfast, bedtime, or any calm moment, ask your child to point to how they feel. It’s a quick and easy way to normalize talking about emotions daily.
• Why It Works: Regular check-ins help kids build emotional awareness and vocabulary, which makes expressing feelings easier over time.
• Parenting Script: “How are you feeling today? Let’s look at the chart and pick a face that matches. Remember, it’s okay to feel more than one thing at once. I’m here to help you figure it out!”
How to Use the Feelings Chart
This FREE printable feelings chart is a game-changer for parents. It’s a simple, visual way for kids to connect what they’re feeling to a name or expression. Print it, hang it on your fridge, or keep it handy during family routines.
💡 Parent Tip: Start by modeling how to use it! Say, “I feel tired today, so I’m picking this face,” or, “I’m excited about the weekend, so I’ll choose this one.”
Encouraging Emotional Conversations at Home
Here are three ways to make emotions a natural part of your family’s day:
1. Model Your Emotions: Be open about your own feelings. For example, “I’m feeling frustrated because I spilled my coffee, but I’ll take a deep breath and clean it up.”
2. Validate, Don’t Dismiss: Instead of saying, “You’re fine, stop crying,” try, “I see you’re upset. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
3. Read About Emotions: During story time, ask, “How do you think this character feels? Have you ever felt that way?”
Teaching kids to identify and name their emotions doesn’t just help them now—it gives them tools for life. Start small, make it fun, and use the printable chart to guide the way. Soon enough, you’ll see your child opening up, expressing themselves, and growing in ways that strengthen their confidence and your connection.
Let me know in the comments how these activities work for you and your family! Did your child have a favorite? What questions do you have about teaching emotions?
Ready to get started? Download your FREE Feelings Chart and begin today!
