What We Learn |
Language development
Express emotions
Writing skills |
Supply List |
3” X 5” index cards or construction paper
scissors
glue
tongue depressors or Popsicle sticks
markers, crayons or pencils |
How-To |
Give each child index cards or sheets of construction paper. Have them use markers, crayons or pencils to draw a face with a certain emotion or expression on it. If children are drawing the emotion “happy,” ask them to draw what they see on a happy face (big smile and bright eyes).
Make sure the children not only draw the face, but also write out the word “happy” to accompany the face. For younger children, you may need to write out the word for them.
Using safety scissors, the children can cut out the paper faces they’ve drawn. They can then glue it onto a Popsicle stick or tongue depressor.
For kids ages 3 and under, you should limit the face cards to three main emotions: mad, sad and happy. You don’t want to overwhelm young children with all the different emotions that they may not be developmentally ready to really understand. These three emotions cards should be sufficient for kids at this stage of development.
For kids ages 3 and older, start off with the three face cards (mad, sad, and happy) and add more, such as anxious, frustrated, surprised, and scared. Have kids draw what these faces look like to them and discuss what it feels like for them to feel mad, sad or happy.
These face cards can be used to gauge children’s knowledge of different emotions. Use the cards to begin a conversation about how a child feels. Use the corresponding words for the emotions that the child describes. This gives them the language to help them express their emotions verbally.
For kids with special needs, depending on their abilities or disabilities, you may want to assist them with drawing the faces and helping them write. |
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