Teach About Emotions (E4.1.9)
Sub Category: Social and Emotional Development: Self-Concept, Behavior Regulation, Emotional Control, Attention, and Social Skills
Credential Level: Level 2 •
Age Group: Infant, Toddler, Pre-K
COMPETENCY STATEMENT
Engages children in books, songs, games, and activities to increase understanding of emotions (using puppets to act out emotional responses, role play, introducing emotional vocabulary through pictures)
DEFINITIONS
Teachers use playful strategies and materials like puppets, role play, and picture books to help children learn about emotions. These activities teach children to recognize feelings in themselves and others. They also build emotional vocabulary and empathy.
EXAMPLES
Teach About Emotions
Age Group: Toddler
Age Group: Toddler
In this exemplar video, a teacher engages children in a group activity that builds emotional understanding. Notice how the teacher sings “Hello, hello, how are you” and then asks, “How are you?”, using visuals and hand gestures to support children in identifying and naming emotions—an example of engaging children in activities to increase understanding of emotions.
Teach About Emotions
Age Group: Infant
Age Group: Infant
In this exemplar video, a teacher supports children’s understanding of emotions through pictures and song. Notice how the teacher points to a picture of a happy face, models a happy expression, and sings If You’re Happy and You Know It to help the infant connect the emotion word with a facial expression.
Teach About Emotions
Age Group: Infant
Age Group: Infant
In this exemplar video, a teacher supports children’s understanding of emotions through song and conversation. Notice how the teacher labels happy and sad feelings, encourages the child to identify emotions, and connects facial expressions to emotion words.
Teach About Emotions
Age Group: Toddler
Age Group: Toddler
In this exemplar video, a teacher helps children explore emotions through movement and role play. Notice how she encourages the children to jump to show happiness and to cover their faces, lower their heads, and walk slowly to show sadness. As the children act out each feeling, the teacher emphasizes the emotion words to reinforce their understanding—an example of engaging children in games and activities to increase their understanding of emotions.