This guide will help you answer 4.3. Plan an activity to promote emotional well-being in own setting.
As an Early Years Practitioner, promoting emotional well-being in children is crucial. A child’s emotional well-being influences their development and learning. Creating activities that promote emotional well-being can help children manage their emotions effectively, build resilience, and develop positive relationships.
Understanding Emotional Well-being
Emotional well-being refers to how children feel about themselves, their relationships, and how they handle challenges and stress. Young children need support to develop skills like:
- Recognising and naming emotions
- Expressing emotions in healthy ways
- Developing empathy
- Building self-esteem and confidence
Goals of the Activity
The primary goals of this activity are:
- To help children recognise and name different emotions
- To encourage children to express their feelings appropriately
- To foster empathy among children
- To enhance self-esteem and confidence
Activity: “Emotion Faces Circle Time”
Materials Needed
- Emotion face cards (happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised, etc.)
- Mirror
- Emotion wheel or chart
- Soft cushion or mat for each child
- A talking stick or emotion puppet
- Storybook about emotions
Preparation
- Create Emotion Face Cards: These cards should have simple, clear facial expressions representing various emotions. You can draw these yourself or print from templates available online.
- Set Up Circle Area: Arrange the cushions or mats in a circle. Ensure there is enough space for children to sit comfortably and see each other.
- Prepare the Emotion Wheel or Chart: This tool will help children identify and name their emotions. Place it where all the children can see it clearly.
- Select an Emotion Storybook: Choose a book that talks about different emotions. Ensure it is age-appropriate and engaging.
Steps of the Activity
Introduction (5 minutes)
Begin by welcoming the children and explaining that you will talk about emotions. Introduce the concept of emotions and why they are important. Keep this brief and simple. For example:
“Today, we’re going to talk about our feelings. Everyone has feelings, and it’s okay to feel happy, sad, angry, or scared.”
Exploring Emotions (10 minutes)
- Use the Emotion Face Cards: Hold up each card and ask the children to name the emotion it represents. Discuss what the emotion looks like and feels like.
- “Can you tell me what this face is feeling?”
- “What makes you feel happy?”
- “How do you look when you’re sad?”
- Mirror Activity: Give each child a mirror and ask them to make faces that match the emotion cards. This encourages self-awareness and recognition of emotions.
Story Time (10 minutes)
Read the selected storybook about emotions. Pause and discuss the story, asking questions like:
- “How do you think the character is feeling now?”
- “Why do you think they feel that way?”
This helps children connect emotions to scenarios and understand them better.
Talking Stick Circle (10 minutes)
- Introduce the Talking Stick or Emotion Puppet: Explain that the stick or puppet will be passed around, and only the person holding it can speak.
- Share Feelings: Encourage each child to share how they are feeling today using the emotion they’ve learned. Ask them to use the emotion wheel or chart if they need help finding the right word.
- “What made you feel happy today?”
- “Did anything make you feel a bit sad?”
- Empathy Building: After a child shares their feelings, encourage the others to respond with empathy.
- “How do you think we can help our friend feel better?”
Activity Conclusion (5 minutes)
End the activity by summarising what was discussed. Reinforce the idea that all feelings are normal and it’s important to express them.
- “We all have different feelings, and that’s okay. Remember, if you feel sad or angry, you can talk to an adult or a friend.”
Follow-up Activities
To reinforce the learning, plan follow-up activities:
- Emotion Drawing: Provide paper and crayons for children to draw faces showing different emotions.
- Role Play: Set up scenarios where children can act out emotions and practise expressing them.
- Emotion Dolls: Use dolls with different facial expressions in the role-play area.
Evaluation of the Activity
After the activity, evaluate its effectiveness:
- Observe: Watch how children express their feelings in daily interactions.
- Ask for Feedback: Talk to the children about what they liked or didn’t like about the activity.
- Consult Colleagues: Discuss with other practitioners to get their perspective on any changes in the children’s emotional expressions.
Adapting the Activity
Consider the individual needs of children in your setting:
- Ensure language used is appropriate for all children.
- For children with special needs, adapt materials and extend time for each activity step.
- Pair more verbal children with peers who might need encouragement to express their feelings.
Conclusion
Promoting emotional well-being is essential for healthy development. This activity helps children learn about emotions in an engaging and supportive way. By regularly incorporating similar activities, you will foster a positive environment where children feel safe to express themselves. Remember, your role as an Early Years Practitioner is to guide and support children through their emotional learning journey.
