Active learning ideas
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.
Activity 01
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.
How do I feel today?
Activity 02
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.
What makes me feel happy or sad?
Activity 03
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.
How can I show my feelings?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Some feelings, like anger or sadness, are 'bad' and should be hidden.
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.
Other people always know how I am feeling.
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.
Methods used in this brief