Teaching Kids to Name Their Feelings: Why It Matters

Imagine feeling something big inside but not knowing what to call it. That’s what it’s like for many kids. Teaching children to name their feelings gives them the power to understand and manage their emotions.

Why Naming Emotions Matters
When kids can say, "I'm sad" or "I'm frustrated," they begin to process the emotion instead of being overwhelmed by it. Naming feelings helps develop emotional intelligence, strengthens communication, and lowers the intensity of emotional reactions.

How to Introduce Feeling Words

• Start with basics: happy, sad, mad, scared.

• Use storytime to talk about characters’ emotions.

• Share your own feelings out loud: "I feel excited today!"

Visual Tools That Help
Feelings charts and wheels are excellent tools. Kids can point to a face or color that matches how they feel. Over time, they learn the language to match their inner world.

Everyday Moments to Practice

• After school: "How did you feel at recess today?"

• At bedtime: "What feeling did you feel the most today?"

• When upset: "Let’s look at our feelings chart together."