My Feelings and Emotions
Identifying and naming different feelings. Learning how to express emotions in a safe and healthy way.
TL;DR:Developing emotional literacy is a core component of the SPHE curriculum, helping Senior Infants identify, name, and manage a range of feelings. At this stage, children are learning that all emotions are valid, but there are safe and healthy ways to express them. This topic connects directly to the 'Growing and Changing' and 'Self-awareness' strands of the NCCA framework, providing students with the vocabulary they need to communicate their internal states.
About This Topic
Developing emotional literacy is a core component of the SPHE curriculum, helping Senior Infants identify, name, and manage a range of feelings. At this stage, children are learning that all emotions are valid, but there are safe and healthy ways to express them. This topic connects directly to the 'Growing and Changing' and 'Self-awareness' strands of the NCCA framework, providing students with the vocabulary they need to communicate their internal states.
In an Irish school setting, creating a 'safe space' for emotional expression supports the wellbeing guidelines set out by the Department of Education. Students grasp this concept faster through structured role play and peer explanation, where they can practice responding to different emotional scenarios in a controlled, supportive environment.
Key Questions
- How do I feel today?
- What makes me feel happy or sad?
- How can I show my feelings?
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionSome feelings, like anger or sadness, are 'bad' and should be hidden.
What to Teach Instead
Children often think they should only show 'good' emotions. Through active discussion, teachers can explain that all feelings are okay, but our actions (like hitting when angry) are what we need to manage.
Common MisconceptionOther people always know how I am feeling.
What to Teach Instead
Young children are often egocentric and assume their internal state is obvious. Role playing communication helps them realize they need to use words to tell others how they feel.
Active Learning Ideas
See all activities→Role Play
The Emotion Statues
The teacher calls out an emotion, and students use their bodies and faces to freeze like a statue representing that feeling. They then discuss in pairs what might have made their 'statue' feel that way.
Stations Rotation
Feeling Zones
Set up four stations representing Happy, Sad, Angry, and Scared. At each station, students draw a picture or pick a card showing an activity that makes them feel that specific emotion.
Collaborative Problem-Solving
The Kindness Kit
In small groups, students are given a scenario where a puppet is feeling sad or lonely. They must work together to come up with three things they could do to help the puppet feel better.