Naming My Feelings

Your Child Will Learn

How to identify the emotions they feel

Here’s What to Do

1. Ask your child to talk about different kinds of feelings they know about. Examples:
   • Happy
   • Sad
   • Scared
   • Mad
   • Surprised
   • Excited
   • Worried
   • Frustrated
2. Invite your child to practice pausing to notice their feelings.
   • Say “Pause!” 
   • Put your hands on your tummy, and take a deep belly breath. 
   • Notice how you’re feeling inside, and say the feeling out loud.
3. Model these steps for your child first, then practice doing them together.
4. Prompt your child to Pause throughout the day. Pause when your child is having calm and happy emotions, and when they are having strong uncomfortable feelings.

Put PEER Into Action

PAUSE

• Pretend you are blowing bubbles from a bubble wand a few times together.

ENGAGE

• “Can you tell me the name of a feeling you know? How does it make your body feel inside?”
• “It looks like you’re having some big feelings, so let’s Pause, breathe in, breathe out, and tell me what feeling you’re feeling.”

ENCOURAGE

• “Sometimes it is hard for us to name our feelings and calm them down inside of us. We’re going to keep practicing so it becomes easier.”
• “Wow! You did a great thing, pausing to listen to what your body’s telling you to do.”

REFLECT

• “Who are some grown-ups you could talk to that could help you with big emotions?”

Not Quite Ready

Name your child’s feeling for them, like: “It looks like you’re feeling mad that I took away that toy.”

Ready for More

Try naming your feelings in pretend play. Make up different scenarios, and practice responding to them with this technique.

As Your Child Masters This Skill

They will be able to accurately describe their feelings and communicate them to an adult

Time to Complete

10 minutes

Materials Needed

None