We know that it can sometimes be difficult for little ones to express their emotions. The best way to encourage them to share their moods is through games that make them feel comfortable and safe. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 games to help you talk with your child about their feelings.
1. The mirror game
Place a mirror on your abdomen, stand in front of your child, and ask them to recreate an emotion or feeling while looking at themselves in the mirror.
This way, they will begin to recognize their own expressions.
2. Emotion bingo
You can play the traditional bingo game with your child, but replace the numbers with cutouts, photos, or drawings of emotions.
Follow the usual rules of the game and watch as the children fill in their squares.
3. The Emotionary
Create an emotionary — a dictionary of emotions. In it, you can include the names of emotions along with photos, drawings, or images that represent them.
This will help children more easily recognize what emotions look like.
Help your child understand what they’re feeling!
A resource designed to use at home, strengthen the bond and grow together emotionally.
4. The emotion theater
With the help of puppets or toys, you can put on short plays with your children where the characters express and talk about their emotions.
Let them decide what their character is feeling.
5. The Emotion Painter
On a large sheet of paper, draw several blank faces and ask your child to paint a different emotion on each one.
Then, talk with them about their drawings to help verbalize and identify how they recognize those feelings.
6. Emotional journal
Use a notebook to teach your child to write or draw how they feel at a specific moment of the day — for example, at night at the end of their day.
This way, you can track their moods on a daily basis.
7. The Emotion Detective
Look through magazines or physical storybooks for different characters and, together with your child, try to guess what emotion they are expressing.
After guessing, talk with them about how they could help that character feel better if needed.
8. Music for emotions
Listen to different styles of music with your child, and then ask them what emotion each rhythm made them feel.
You can also ask them to draw each of those feelings and talk about the reason behind each one.
9. Emotional charades
Invite the whole family to play. Divide everyone into two teams and write one emotion on each slip of paper. Fold them and place them in a container.
Taking turns, one member from each team will draw a paper, act out the emotion, and their team will try to guess it.
10. Calm corner
Find a comfortable space in your home where your child can relax and feel calm whenever they need to.
You can place coloring supplies, sheets of paper, or some toys there so they can have fun while calming down.
Help your child explore and express their emotions!
A resource designed to support their emotional growth while strengthening the family bond.
Remember:
Play is a great way to teach your child to express themselves because it makes them feel safe and confident.
