3.3y–5y10 minQuiet timeFamily timeWith other children
Mini Feelings Circle
A home-friendly ‘circle time’ where your child explores feelings by recalling times they felt happy, excited, or lonely, and practises supportive responses and calm problem-solving.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper and a pen/pencil
- a comfy floor spot or sofa
- a soft toy or cushion
Nice to have
- a small mirror (optional)
- 3 simple feeling faces drawn on paper (happy/excited/lonely)
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneNames own feelingsHeart· 3y–4y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneVerbalizes empathyHeart· 4y–5y· core
- MilestoneOffers comfortHeart· 3y–4.5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneComforts a distressed personHeart· 3y–4.5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUses movement to express feelings.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneNegotiates peer conflictsHeart· 4y–5y· core
What it practices
- Understands that own actions affect other people, for example, becomes upset or tries to comfort another child when they realise they have upset them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Aware of the boundaries set, and of behavioural expectations in the setting.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to be able to negotiate and solve problems without aggression, e.g. when someone has taken their toy.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan small group circle times when children can explore feelings, e.g. help children to recall when they were happy, when they were excited, or when they felt lonely.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)