Emotion regulation is an essential skill for children, helping them manage their feelings and respond appropriately to various situations. For preschoolers, who are just beginning to understand their emotions, engaging in fun and interactive activities can greatly enhance their emotional awareness and self-control. Here are three practical examples of emotion regulation activities for preschoolers that you can try at home or in the classroom.
Feelings Charades is a fun game that encourages children to recognize and express different emotions. This activity is perfect for group settings like classrooms or playdates.
In this game, children take turns selecting an emotion from a jar filled with emotion cards, such as happy, sad, angry, or surprised. Without using words, they act out the chosen emotion while the other children guess what it is. This activity helps preschoolers to identify and express their feelings while also learning to interpret the emotions of their peers.
To make it even more engaging, you can encourage the kids to share a time when they felt that emotion. This not only promotes emotional vocabulary but also fosters empathy as they listen to each other’s experiences.
Notes: You can create a variety of emotion cards by drawing faces that depict different feelings or using pictures from magazines. You can also adapt the game for individual play by having them draw emotions from a bag or box.
Creating an Emotion Wheel is a hands-on activity that helps preschoolers visualize and understand their feelings. This can be used as a calming tool when they experience strong emotions, making it ideal for home or classroom settings.
To create an Emotion Wheel, you will need a paper plate, markers, and a brad fastener. First, divide the paper plate into sections, each representing a different emotion, such as joy, frustration, fear, and excitement. Have the children decorate each section with colors, drawings, or words that represent those feelings.
Once the wheel is complete, show the kids how to use it. When they feel a strong emotion, they can spin the wheel to identify what they are feeling. Encourage them to take a deep breath and talk about why they feel that way or what might help them feel better.
Notes: For an added twist, include a section for “How to Cope” where they can brainstorm ways to manage their feelings, like talking to a friend or taking a break.
Mindful Breathing Buddies is a calming exercise that teaches preschoolers how to regulate their emotions through deep breathing. This activity can be done in both individual and group settings, perfect for calming moments during the day.
To begin, each child can choose a small stuffed animal or toy that will act as their “breathing buddy.” Have them lie down on their backs and place their buddy on their belly. Explain that as they breathe in deeply, their buddy will rise, and as they exhale, it will fall. This visual helps children focus on their breathing and encourages them to slow down when they feel overwhelmed.
Practice this exercise together, counting to four while inhaling, holding for four counts, and exhaling for four counts. After a few rounds, discuss how they feel after the breathing exercise and if it helped them feel calmer.
Notes: You can incorporate this activity into a routine, perhaps at the beginning of class or as a calming strategy during transitions. You can also create a calming corner in the classroom where kids can go to practice mindful breathing whenever they need to regulate their emotions.