22mo–3y10 minQuiet timeReading
Feelings Words in Everyday Moments
A short, calm feelings-talk routine that keeps naming and revisiting emotions (sad, happy, cross) through pictures, stories, and real-life examples, supporting your child to understand feelings in self and others.
What you'll need
Essentials
- simple picture book (or 2-3 family photos with faces)
Nice to have
- mirror (or phone front camera)
- paper and crayon
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
What it practices
- Interested in others’ play and starting to join in.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Seeks out others to share experiences.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows affection and concern for people who are special to them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- May form a special friendship with another child.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Continue to talk about feelings such as sadness, happiness, or feeling cross.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)