Posts

Supporting Emotional Development at Home: Simple Ways to Help Little Ones Name Big Feelings

Image
   1. Use Visuals to Talk About Feelings Children, especially preschoolers, benefit from seeing what emotions look like .  Try using simple visuals like our Pinky the Crab Emotion Cards   (Happy Pinky, Sad Pinky, Mad Pinky, Scared Pinky). Post them on the fridge, near your child’s bed, or in a calm corner. Try this at home : Ask in the morning, “How is your heart feeling today?” and let your child point to a card. 2. Make Emotions Part of Daily Art Art is a natural way for children to express what they can’t say in words. Use coloring pages like Pinky’s Big Feelings Coloring Page , or let your child draw their own faces showing different emotions. Prompt ideas : “Draw a time when you felt brave.”“Color Pinky when she’s feeling happy!” 3. Read Books That Name Feelings Books are wonderful conversation starters. When reading My Big Suitcase of Emotions , pause and ask: “What is Pinky feeling here?” “Have you ever felt like that?” You’ll be amazed at the little ...

Learning to Name Our Feelings: A Child’s Guide to Big Emotions

Image
  Children experience a whirlwind of emotions every day from joy to frustration, from wonder to worry. But how often do we pause to help them understand   what   they’re feeling and   why ? Understanding emotions is one of the first steps toward building strong social skills, healthy self-regulation, and empathy for others. And guess what? It can start with something as simple as a picture.  Meet Our Emotion Explorer! This beautiful illustration shows a little girl expressing six different emotions. Her face tells a story without using a single word. Can you guess what she’s feeling in each one? Let’s take a closer look: 😊   Happy Her bright eyes and wide smile say it all. She might have just gotten a hug or heard her favorite song. Talk about it:   “What makes you feel happy inside your heart?” 😢   Sad Her eyes look down, and her mouth forms a small frown. Something might have disappointed her. Talk about it:   “It’s okay to feel sad. Want...

Storybooks That Support Inclusion: Helping Preschoolers Understand Neurodiversity

Image
  Storybooks That Support Inclusion: Helping Preschoolers Understand Neurodiversity By Stephanie Campbell, M.S.Ed., Early Childhood and Special Education In today's diverse preschool classrooms, inclusion isn't just a goal it's a necessity. As an early childhood educator, author, and workshop presenter, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful storybooks can be in building empathy, understanding, and connection among young learners. When children hear stories that reflect different abilities, cultures, and ways of communicating, they learn to appreciate differences rather than fear them. They begin to see that every child belongs  whether they speak with words, gestures, or a warm smile. Why Storybooks Matter in Inclusive Classrooms Storytime is one of the most powerful tools in the early childhood classroom. It helps children: Develop empathy and emotional awareness Understand perspectives different from their own Explore new vocabulary and communication styles Ask q...

Building Together: A Block Play Social Skills Activity

Image
  Objective: To help children practice teamwork, communication, and kindness through guided block play. 🧰 Materials: A variety of blocks (wooden, foam, or plastic) Play figures, animals, or vehicles (optional) “Let’s Build Together!”  A timer  🌟 Activity Steps: 1. Set the Stage: Invite children to sit in a circle and ask: “Have you ever built something amazing with blocks? What happens when we build together instead of alone?” Talk briefly about: Listening to others’ ideas Taking turns placing blocks Saying kind words like “Can I help?” or “Great idea!” 2. Team Building Challenge: Split children into small groups (2–3 per set of blocks) and give them a simple, fun challenge: Examples: “Let’s build a house for a teddy bear.” “Can your team build the tallest tower?” “Make a zoo with spaces for all the animals.” Give them 5–10 minutes to build, encouraging positive social behavior as they work. 3. Prompt Positive Play: A...

Emotion Stones: A Hands-On Way to Help Children Talk About Feelings

Image
As an early childhood and special education teacher, I’m always looking for creative ways to help little ones express how they feel. One of my favorite go-to activities is something simple, sensory, and full of heart  Emotion Stones . This activity gives children a gentle, hands-on way to explore emotions especially helpful for those who are still developing language or have unique ways of communicating. What Are Emotion Stones?  Emotion Stones are small, smooth stones (or even wood slices or bottle caps) painted with different facial expressions. Each one represents an emotion like happy, sad, angry, scared, tired, excited, or calm. They’re colorful, tangible, and just the right size for little hands. 🧰 What You’ll Need: Smooth stones (from the dollar store, craft store, or your backyard!) Acrylic paint or paint markers A basket or small container Optional: Mod Podge or clear sealant to make them last longer 🎨 How to Make Them: Paint simple, child-fri...

Activity: “Suitcase Breaths”

Image
  Activity:   “Suitcase Breaths” Objective: Help children calm their emotions by practicing deep, mindful breathing. Steps: Get comfy:   Have the kids sit or lie down comfortably. Imagine a suitcase:   Say, “Let’s pretend we have a big suitcase inside us that holds all our feelings.” Take a deep breath:   Slowly breathe in through your nose as if you’re filling your suitcase with calm and happy feelings. Count to 3. Hold it:   Hold your breath for 2 seconds  your suitcase is full now! Slow breath out:   Slowly breathe out through your mouth, letting go of any big feelings like anger, sadness, or worry. Count to 4. Repeat:   Do this 3-5 times together. Tip:   Use your hands to show the suitcase opening (inhale) and closing (exhale) to help kids follow along visually.

3 Simple Ways to Use My Big Suitcase of Emotions book at Home or in the Classroom

Image
  If you’ve read   My Big Suitcase of Emotions , or you’re just thinking about picking it up, you might be wondering how to really bring the story to life for the children in your world. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a counselor or just someone who cares deeply about helping kids understand their feelings this book was made to be more than just a bedtime story. It’s a tool. A safe starting place. A way to help children unpack the big (and sometimes confusing) emotions they carry with them every day. Here are three simple, meaningful ways to use the book in everyday life at home or in the classroom. Create a Feelings Station Set up a small space with crayons, paper, and a blank suitcase template (I can share one!). Invite kids to “pack” their suitcase by drawing or naming the emotions they’re feeling. This gives children a safe, creative way to express what’s going on inside. Do a Daily Suitcase Check-In Ask, “What’s in your suitcase today?” Let kids name a feeling and ta...