About this resource
Naming feelings is a foundation for managing them. This lesson includes a learning intention, feelings vocabulary, a feelings charades activity, body clues and a reflection, ready to adapt.
Purpose
To build feelings vocabulary and recognition.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Educators and school support staff. Also relevant for youth workers, speech pathologists.
Client or participant group: Primary school students.
Practice setting: Classroom social-emotional learning.
Suggested uses
- Social-emotional learning lessons
- Small groups
- Start of year
- Wellbeing programs
Instructions for practitioners
- Model naming your own feelings.
- Keep activities safe and voluntary.
- Use visuals.
- Follow up any concerns.
Accessibility considerations
Use pictures and movement.
Scope and limitations
A lesson plan.
Research basis
Understanding, naming and choosing strategies for emotions are central to emotion regulation; putting feelings into words and finer emotion distinctions are linked to better regulation. School-based social and emotional learning programs improve students' social skills, behaviour and academic results.
- Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405–432. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x
- Gross, J. J. (2015). Emotion Regulation: Current Status and Future Prospects. Psychological Inquiry, 26(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/1047840x.2014.940781
- Kashdan, T. B., Barrett, L. F., & McKnight, P. E. (2015). Unpacking Emotion Differentiation: Transforming Unpleasant Experience by Perceiving Distinctions in Negativity. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 24(1), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414550708
- Kircanski, K., Lieberman, M. D., & Craske, M. G. (2012). Feelings Into Words: Contributions of Language to Exposure Therapy. Psychological Science, 23(10), 1086–1091. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612443830
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
