This activity will help your child understand the connection between emotions and behaviors and build an awareness of feelings. Your child will also have the opportunity to practice listening skills.
Learning Area(s): Language and Communication; Social and Emotional
MATERIALS
- Book about feelings (optional)
- Small mirror
LET'S PLAY
Play “Simon Says” with your child, substituting feeling phrases for the usual directions.
You can introduce this activity to your child by saying: “Let’s play Simon Says Feelings. When I say, ‘Simon Says,’ show me that feeling using your face. Remember, if I do not say ‘Simon says,’ you should not make a face.” (For example, “Make a happy face.”)
Directions:
“Simon says … make a happy face.”
“Simon says … make an angry face.”
“Simon says … look scared.”
Once your child understands how to play this game, give your child a chance to give you directions and watch you demonstrate feelings, too. You can take turns to see how many different feelings you can think of, demonstrate, and discuss together.
TIPS
- Use a small mirror to watch as you and your child make facial expressions.
- To add variety:
- Have your child draw a picture to express the feelings that you name.
- Have your child talk about times that he/she has experienced different feelings.
- In between directions, you could ask questions about those feelings, such as: “What makes you feel happy?” or “What do you do when you are angry?”