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



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:

  1. Paint simple, child-friendly faces that clearly show different emotions.

  2. Label the back with the name of the feeling (this supports early literacy, too!).

  3. Once dry, seal with a clear finish if you want to make them more durable.

🧠 How to Use Them in the Classroom:

🌞 Morning Check-In:
Invite children to choose a stone that shows how they’re feeling and share (or simply place it in a basket if they’re not ready to talk).

📚 After a Story:
After reading a book, ask: “How do you think the character felt?” Let children hold up a stone that matches that feeling.

Calm-Down Corner:
Add the stones to your calm-down area. A child who’s having a hard time can choose a stone to help name their feeling even without words.

👐 For Nonverbal Communicators:
Emotion Stones give children another way to express themselves. Just pointing to a stone can be incredibly empowering.

❤️ Why It Works

  • Supports social-emotional learning

  • Encourages nonverbal communication

  • Easy to individualize for your classroom needs

  • A great tool for transitions, reflection, or quiet time

✏️ Final Thought

Children want to be understood even when they don’t yet have the words. Emotion Stones open that door in a fun, respectful, and developmentally appropriate way. It’s a small project with a big impact and one that brings emotional learning to life, one feeling at a time.



Stephanie Campbell
Early Childhood and Special Education Teacher & Author

#InclusiveEducation #PreschoolBooks #NeurodiversityInTheClassroom #EarlyChildhoodEducation #AutismAwareness #StorytimeForInclusion #StephanieCampbellBooks #SpecialEducationStrategies #PreschoolTeacherResources #SocialEmotionalLearning



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