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

 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 to tell me what happened?”

😠 Angry

Furrowed brows and tight lips—she’s clearly upset!
Talk about it: “What made you feel mad? What can we do to feel better?”

😨 Scared

Big, round eyes and an open mouth can show fear or surprise.
Talk about it: “What scared you? I’m here to help.”

😲 Surprised

This could be a good surprise—like balloons and cake—or a shocking one!
Talk about it: “What happened that made you feel surprised?”

🙄 Annoyed or Skeptical

This one’s tricky! Her eyes look sideways and her mouth is tight. Maybe she didn’t like what she heard?
Talk about it: “Do you sometimes feel bothered or unsure? That’s okay too.”


Why Naming Feelings Matters

Helping children put words to their emotions:

  • Builds emotional vocabulary

  • Reduces tantrums and outbursts

  • Strengthens self-regulation skills

  • Encourages empathy and communication


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