Over the next few months, I am going to post twenty very short videos describing some activities that can be used to explore emotions and develop emotional literacy with children and young people. (If they are a hit I will post more. Update – not overly a hit so maybe something for the future!) Some will be suitable for very young children and some for older children. They can support the following aspects of emotional intelligence:
- Developing emotion vocabulary
- Identifying what you’re feeling
- Noticing emotions as they arise
- Understanding emotions are a normal part of being human
- Understanding we need to expect to experience both positive and negative emotions
- Developing awareness of the physical symptoms of different emotions
- Coping strategies for unenjoyable emotions
- Being able to link emotions to their triggers
- Seeing the link between thoughts and emotions
- Understanding you have a choice about how to respond when you’re experiencing a powerful emotion
- Developing empathy
Here’s the first one covering a much used (and loved by kids) activity I have already written a blog post about: I am a potato. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel and my Blog (scroll down to subscribe to new blog posts on my contact page) if you wish to receive updates.
Here is a list of the videos and what they cover:
| Video Number | Date Published | Title | Covers |
| 1 | 25th May | I’m a Potato | Developing emotion vocabulary Identifying what you’re feeling Developing awareness of the physical symptoms of different emotions |
| 2 | 1st June | Sandpaper and Wool Faces | Identifying what you’re feeling Developing awareness of the physical symptoms of different emotions |
| 3 | 8th | The Pebbles | Noticing emotions as they arise Coping strategies for unenjoyable emotions |
| 4 | 15th | Anger Thermometer | Developing emotion vocabulary Understanding individual emotions – a closer look Understanding we need to expect to experience both positive and negative emotions |
| 5 | 22nd | Symptom Checker | Identifying what you’re feeling Noticing emotions as they arise Developing awareness of the physical symptoms of different emotions |
| 6 | 29th | Emotion Diary | Identifying what you’re feeling Being able to link emotions to their triggers |
| 7 | 6th July | Pause Button | Noticing emotions as they arise Coping strategies for unenjoyable emotions |
| 8 | 13th | Pause and Cool Down | Reducing impulsive reaction in response to emotions Understanding you have a choice about how to respond when you’re experiencing a powerful emotion |
| 9 | 20th | “I’ve Just…” | Being able to link emotions to their triggers Developing emotion vocabulary Developing empathy |
| 10 | 27th | Enjoyable and unenjoyable emotions | Developing emotion vocabulary Understanding emotions are a normal part of being human Understanding we need to expect to experience both positive and negative emotions |
| 11 | 3rd August | If Emotions could Talk | Creative activities to deepen understanding of emotions |
| 12 | 10th | The Empathy Game | Developing empathy Seeing the link between thoughts and emotions |
| 13 | 17th | What am I Grateful for? | Understanding individual emotions – a closer look Coping strategies for unenjoyable emotions |
| 14 | 24th | Emotion Profile | Understanding individual emotions – a closer look Developing awareness of the physical symptoms of different emotions Being able to link emotions to their triggers |
| 15 | 31st | Emotion Tracker | Understanding we need to expect to experience both positive and negative emotions Being able to link emotions to their triggers |
| 16 | 14th September | Low Mood Menu | Coping strategies for unenjoyable emotions |
| 17 | 21st | Emotions as Visitors | Identifying what you’re feeling Noticing emotions as they arise Understanding emotions are a normal part of being human Understanding we need to expect to experience both positive and negative emotions Developing awareness of the physical symptoms of different emotions Coping strategies for unenjoyable emotions Being able to link emotions to their triggers |
| 18 | 28th | Reaction Sheet | Identifying what you’re feeling Being able to link emotions to their triggers |
| 19 | 5th October | The Ingredients of an Emotion | Creative activities to deepen understanding of emotions Being able to link emotions to their triggers |
| 20 | 12th | Sensing Emotions | Creative activities to deepen understanding of emotions |