Since I am a psychologist, teaching our children about feelings and behavior is as important to me as teaching them to wash their hands or brush their teeth. They know a variety of words to describe their feelings because having words to describe the way they feel inside is empowering. It allows them to have a dialogue with others and to let people know how actions impact them. This week, the theme for Playful Preschool is Healthy Kids. It may sound funny to talk about mental health for preschoolers, but I believe in laying the foundation early so that they have tools to talk about the way they feel throughout their lives. There are people who never have the opportunity to learn how to express themselves and are unable to convey their feelings as adults. Learning to talk about feelings opens so many doors in life, and I want our children to be able to have healthy connections with others.
There are adults out there who believe that their actions were justified by their feelings. I remember doing an anger management group inside a prison with men convicted of violent felonies. They were working on separating their feelings from their actions. At times, I would meet up with one of them who was in isolation after getting into a fight or throwing a chair across the room and talk about alternative choices for next time. The news headlines are full of stories of people taking inappropriate actions spurred by feelings. I want our children to know from a young age that feelings do not justify actions.
Make a Face
Write down a list of feelings such as:
Call out the feelings one at a time and have your children or students show the feelings on their faces (as in the pictures above). The faces they make will be silly and exaggerated as they should be for this game. The idea is for them to be able to have fun while conveying an understanding of the feeling words you are calling out. We sometimes use this as a way to get them to smile for photos. They find it funny, so by the time we get to a happy face, they will have a genuine smile for a photo (if we’re lucky.)
Question Game: Feelings vs. Behavior (or Actions)
Come up with a series of questions describing feelings and potential actions children can take. Ask them if the action is justified by the feeling and ask why or why not.
Here are some sample questions:
- If you are feeling really angry with your brother, is it OK for you to hit him?
- If you are feeling happy, is it OK for you to give yourself a hug?
- If you are excited, is it OK to talk loudly at a restaurant?
- If you are feeling scared, is it OK to run away and hide?
- If you are feeling sad, is it OK for you to cry?
Here is a video of Capri answering a few questions about feelings vs. behavior.
If you have several children or students, you could also have them role play feelings and appropriate actions. I emphasize with our children that all feelings are OK. Their behavior is a choice. They can make appropriate or inappropriate choices. The games above have helped to teach them the difference between having feelings and taking actions. Have you talked with your children or students about feelings? I would love to hear from you in the comments here and/or on the Capri + 3 Facebook page. Be sure to check out the rest of the posts from the Playful Preschool team for more lesson plans on the topic of Healthy Kids.
For More Ideas on Teaching and Keeping Preschoolers Healthy:
Teaching Children About Feelings Vs. Behavior by Capri + 3
Letter Match Tooth Cleaning Game by Rainy Day Mumm
Brushing Teeth Song by Growing Book by Book
Elephants Toothpaste by Learning 2 Walk
Nutrition: Sorting and Categorizing Food by Mom Inspired Life
Healthy Food Habits in Preschool: Sorting and a Paper Plate Project by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
Asthma Action Plan by Tiny Tots Adventures
Hand Washing Sequencing and Song by The Educators’ Spin On It