Feelings Chart for Children

Nurturing our children emotionally is the most important thing we can do as parents and educators. If our children do not feel emotionally and socially secure they will not be able to thrive intellectually. There are two tools I implemented in my classroom and now use with my own children to support their emotional growth. The first is The Hug Jar, a tool used to support children’s emotional needs. The second is the Feelings Chart for Children. Our Feelings Chart for Children is an easy to create tool that focuses on honoring how children feel in the moment and encouraging children to express their feelings.

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The Feelings Chart is very simple to create and use. There are three different emotions children can express with corresponding colored hearts. Yellow hearts = happy, blue hearts = sad and red hearts = angry. Each day children have the opportunity to think about how they are feeling and choose a corresponding colored heart to put next to their names. The Feelings Chart says to children, No matter how you are feeling, your feelings matter. The Feelings Chart for Children is a simple addition to your classroom or home to support a nurturing environment.

WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE THE FEELINGS CHART FOR CHILDREN

tri-fold posterboard or large piece of cardboard
construction paper– red, blue, yellow
laminator or contact paper
scissors
velcro dots
black marker

AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT ENHANCED THROUGH THE FEELINGS CHART FOR CHILDREN

emotional development
social development (sensitivity and recognition of peers’ feelings)
literacy (name recognition, word/picture connection, verbal expression)
fine motor development (placing heart on velcro)

HOW TO CREATE THE FEELINGS CHART FOR CHILDREN

Prior to introducing The Feelings Chart to children you will need to create the chart. Begin by writing “How are you feeling?” in black marker on the top of a tri-fold poster board or large cardboard rectangle. Personally I like the tri-fold option because it stands on its own and does not need to be attached to a wall. Next add the children’s names to the poster. Map out what size print you will need to use depending on how many children you have. When I used this in my classroom I had 22 children. I created two columns for the names. At the bottom add a key for the emotions and corresponding hearts. Draw a yellow, blue and red hearts with the words happy, sad and angry and corresponding faces.

Now it is time to create the feelings hearts. Cut small hearts approximately the same height as the names on the chart. You will need to create a red, blue and yellow heart for each child. Laminate or cover the hearts with contact paper. Add a velcro dot to the back of each heart (use the softer velcro side on all the hearts). Next to each child’s name at a velcro dot (use the rougher side of the velcro).

I added a feelings heart envelope to the posterboard to keep all the extra hearts.

Now it is time to introduce The Feelings Chart to your children. “Here is a special chart to let us know how you are feeling. Each day you can pick a yellow heart if you are happy, a blue if you are sad and a red heart if you are sad. If you don’t feel like sharing that is okay too. Would anyone like to try?” Have one of your children tell how he is feeling and then pick a heart and put it on the chart next to his name. Explain that a child can change his emotions, but can not touch another person’s heart. This rule is important in helping children understand that feelings can change and that we must respect people’s feelings.

Children love The Feelings Chart as a safe way to express their feelings.  Acknowledge children and their feelings. “Luca, I notice you are feeling sad. Is there anything I can do for you?” As we move forward with The Feelings Chart we will continue to explore different ways we can support each other and build our community. Looking forward to sharing more!

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