2.5y–4.2y12 minQuiet timeReadingFamily time
Feelings Label Detective
A quick feelings game that helps your child label emotions (sad, happy, cross, lonely, scared, worried) and connect them to what others might need.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper and a pen/pencil
- a mirror (optional but helpful) or phone selfie camera
- a favourite picture book (or you can use a toy story instead)
Nice to have
- crayons/markers
- a soft toy to be the 'character'
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneOffers comfortHeart· 3y–4.5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneComforts a distressed personHeart· 3y–4.5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneVerbalizes empathyHeart· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneAnswers story questionsMind· 2.1y–3.1y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExpresses feelings through words or actionsHeart· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneUses movement to express feelings.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneIdentifies named picturesMind· 2y–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneShows nonverbal story understandingMind· 3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAnswers questions about a storyMind· 4y–6y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneInitiates new combinations of movement and gesture in order to express and respond to feelings, ideas and experiences.Body· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- Initiates conversations, attends to and takes account of what others say.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Demonstrates friendly behaviour, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Keeps play going by responding to what others are saying or doing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help children understand the feelings of others by labelling emotions such as sadness, happiness, feeling cross, lonely, scared or worried.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)