Does your toddler struggle with BIG emotions?
Not sure where to even start?
If this sounds all too familiar, then you’re in the right place. I believe it’s never too early to start teaching babies and toddlers about emotions. In fact, I started reading emotions books to my baby when she was 6 months old. Her favorite emotion book was Baby Faces- a soft board book that pictures a baby face with the emotion listed below. There are so many ways to teach your toddlers about emotions, but I wanted to give you 5 easy ways to start along with 2 emotions FREEBIES linked below.
1. Read to them about emotions
You can do this by buying books about emotions, such as Baby Faces, or even just by identifying the feelings of the characters in any book. For example, you can point out that a certain character looked happy and explain why they were happy, or have your toddler point out which character looked sad.
2. Watch videos and shows that discuss emotions
We love to watch the Sesame Street show on Belly Breathing that discusses what to do when you are mad. During the show, I model the skill of deep breathing depicted in the video and also where my toddler should rest her hands when she is learning to deep breath. Not only does she love to watch the video, but she also loves to show me her belly breathing throughout the day. I always praise her and label what she is doing, “Good job belly breathing.”
3. Print out an emotions visual to put on the wall
Another great way to teach a toddler about emotions is by hanging up an emotions visual in an area where she can see it, for example, in her playroom. You can explain to her what each emotion is and even model the emotion.
And today, you’re in luck! I made a FREE emotions visual printout that I linked below just for YOU. No email needed. It’s my way to pay it forward to all those times I was a busy supervisor wanting FREE resources, but not wanting to provide my email.
Link: Emotion Visual
4. Print out emotion and physical state cards/stimuli
Funny story- My 16-month-old daughter was the one who wanted to start looking at my emotion cards, not me. She saw a giant Ziplock bag peaking out from under my bed that contained my emotions card and grabbed them out. My daughter was immediately interested in them and now every night she wants me to gather all her stuffed animals, get in the bed with her, and read the emotion cards to her. I made these cards for her and wanted to share them with you for FREE.
5. Create emotion and feeling-related arts and crafts
If you have an older toddler there are many ways to target emotions in arts and crafts. You can paint different emotions on paper, play with emotion stickers, make a feelings paper plate, the options are endless.
Hope you enjoyed the tips along with the FREE emotion resources! For more freebies, make sure to subscribe to my email list.
留言