Teaching children about emotions can sometimes feel like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. It can be tricky, abstract, and challenging to put into words. But storytelling offers a magical key to unlock those discussions, opening up a world where feelings can be explored and understood. Here are three diverse, practical examples of using storytelling to discuss feelings with your children.
This story can be used during bedtime or as part of a calm afternoon activity. It’s great for younger children who are beginning to understand their own emotions.
Benny the Bear loved to explore the woods. One sunny day, he decided to climb the tallest tree in the forest. As he climbed higher, he felt a rush of excitement, but also a twinge of fear. When he finally reached the top, he was amazed by the view but quickly realized he was afraid of how high up he was.
Benny took a deep breath and remembered his friend, Lila the Owl, who always told him that it was okay to feel scared. He decided to sit for a moment and think about how he could get down safely. He remembered how Lila handles her fear—by talking about it. So, he shouted, “Lila! I’m up here! I feel scared!”
Lila, who was perched on a nearby branch, flapped her wings and said, “It’s alright, Benny! Let’s talk about it. What makes you scared?” They discussed the height, the branches, and how to climb down safely. Benny realized that sharing his feelings made him feel braver.
This story helps children understand that it’s okay to feel scared and that discussing feelings can bring comfort and solutions. Encourage kids to share their own ‘Benny’ moments where they felt scared or anxious, allowing them to connect with the story.
Perfect for children aged 6-10, this example can be used in a classroom or family setting to spark discussions about sadness and creativity.
Maya was a young artist who felt sad one rainy day when she couldn’t play outside. Instead of letting her sadness take over, she decided to use her magical paintbrush that could bring her drawings to life. As she painted a bright, sunny day filled with flowers and laughter, she felt her sadness start to lift.
Once her painting was complete, she stepped into her artwork. The flowers danced, and the sun shined brightly. While she enjoyed her beautiful world, Maya soon realized that it was okay to feel sad. She painted her feelings into the flowers—each petal represented a tear, and each sunbeam represented a happy thought. When she returned to her room, she felt lighter, having expressed her emotions through art.
This story encourages children to acknowledge their feelings and find creative outlets to express them. Ask children about their own ‘Maya’ experiences, where they turned a sad moment into something beautiful, fostering conversations about emotional expression through art.
This example is great for older children, around ages 10-14, and can be used during family discussions or group activities to explore feelings of loss and resilience.
Once upon a time, in a distant galaxy, the stars began to lose their shine. Each star had a story filled with laughter, joy, and dreams, but one by one, they began to dim. The Star Keeper, a wise old creature, noticed this and decided to gather all the stars for a meeting.
During the gathering, each star shared their stories. One star spoke about feeling neglected because people were too busy to look up at the night sky. Another star expressed sadness over the dreams that were never fulfilled. As the stars shared their feelings, they began to shine brighter, realizing they weren’t alone in their struggles.
The Star Keeper reminded them that it was okay to feel sad, but they could also support each other. They decided to twinkle a little brighter for those who had lost hope, and together, they created a beautiful constellation that brought comfort to the world below.
This narrative allows older children to reflect on their feelings of loss or sadness and emphasizes the importance of community support. Encourage discussions about times when they felt dimmed by their emotions and how they found strength in sharing and connecting with others.
By integrating these stories into your conversations, you not only teach emotional intelligence but also create a safe space for your children to explore their feelings, fostering understanding and empathy.