Introducing young children to emotions helps them identify and communicate their feelings better. Here’s a lesson plan that introduces them to the emotions of happy, sad, angry, and worried using interactive activities and songs
Objective: #
Students will recognize and name the emotions: happy, sad, angry, and worried.
Students will communicate their feelings using these emotion words.
Students will relate to and empathize with others’ feelings.
Materials Needed: #
Flashcards with faces expressing different emotions
Chart paper and markers
Storybooks with characters experiencing these emotions
Instruments like tambourines or drums (optional)
Internet access or CD player for playing songs
Introduction (10 minutes) #
Day 1: Happy and Sad
Activity 1: Introduction to Emotions
Start by asking, “How do you feel today?” and discuss various answers.
Introduce the terms ‘happy’ and ‘sad’ by showing flashcards or by making facial expressions.
Activity 2: “Show Me” Game
Call out “show me a happy face” or “show me a sad face”.
Children mimic the emotion.
Song: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you’re sad and you know it, show your frown (make a sad face)
If you’re sad and you know it, show your frown (make a sad face)
Day 2: Angry
Activity 1: Story Time
Read a story where a character feels angry because something didn’t go their way.
Discuss with the children why the character might have felt that way.
Activity 2: Angry Actions
Ask children to show what they do when they’re angry. (e.g., stamping feet, crossing arms)
Discuss calming techniques like taking deep breaths.
Song: “When I Feel Angry”
When I feel angry, I might stamp my feet,
But I’ll take a deep breath and find my beat.
It’s okay to feel, but remember to say,
I’m feeling angry in a calm way.
Day 3: Worried
Activity 1: “What Worries You?” Discussion
Discuss scenarios like “What if you can’t find your favorite toy?”
Introduce the term ‘worried’ as the feeling they might have.
Activity 2: Drawing Worries
Allow children to draw something that makes them worried.
Share and discuss as a class.
Song: “When I’m Feeling Worried Tune”
When I’m feeling worried, and I don’t know what to do,
I’ll talk to a friend, or my teacher too.
It’s okay to share, how we feel every day,
Together we can chase, those worries away.
Day 4: Review and Role Play
Activity 1: Emotion Flashcards Review
Show different flashcards and ask children to identify the emotion.
Activity 2: Emotion Role Play
Give scenarios like “You dropped your ice cream” or “You found a new toy.”
Ask children how they’d feel and to act it out.
Song: “Feelings Song”
Happy, sad, angry, or worried,
Feelings are important, so don’t hurry.
Express how you feel, every single day,
It helps us understand, in every way.
Day 5: Expressing and Understanding Feelings
Activity 1: Feelings Journal
Give each child a piece of paper.
They can draw how they feel that day and write (or dictate) why.
Activity 2: Sharing Circle
Allow children to share their journal entries (if they’re comfortable).
Reinforce understanding and empathy: “How would you feel if that happened to you?”
Song: “All Our Feelings“
We all have feelings, every single day,
Happy, sad, or angry, it’s okay to feel that way.
When we’re worried, we can talk and play,
Understanding feelings, is the way!
Assessment: Observe if children can correctly identify and express their emotions. During the sharing circle, pay attention to whether they show empathy towards their peers.
Extension: Encourage children to discuss their feelings at home. You can also introduce other emotions like excitement, fear, or surprise in subsequent weeks.
Using songs and activities to teach emotions makes the experience memorable. Adjust based on the children’s comfort and understanding, ensuring a supportive and empathetic classroom environment.
