The Pre-Nursery children are so full of feelings, and are immersed in a profound exploration of their emotions. We started the week deeply focused on the vital skills of naming and recognising emotions, providing the children with a rich vocabulary to label their feelings, transforming overwhelming sensations into identifiable concepts like “frustrated,” “excited,” “calm,” and “proud.” By delving deep into the vast and colourful landscape of how they feel, we are laying the crucial foundation for emotional intelligence, helping them build self-awareness and empathy to navigate the world.
Role-play and acting are vital tools for this exploration of emotion, providing a safe, fun space in which to experiment with exaggerated expression. We used songs and movements to help build an understanding; stomping with anger, curling up when we feel tired, and shouting “hooray!” When we feel excited!
Mirrors have also become a powerful tool for self-discovery, helping children bridge the gap between internal feeling and external expression. As they experiment with making faces, they see firsthand how their emotions create a visible map on their own faces. This concrete practice is the essential first step in learning to read the emotions of others. By first understanding what their own feelings look like, they begin to recognise those same expressions on their friends’ faces, allowing them to connect and respond with greater understanding.
The hands-on exploration doesn’t stop there. We then spent time recreating faces with varied expressions, giving the children time to physically sculpt and embody each emotion. Using loose parts and art materials, they designed faces; a joyful smile with button eyes, or a surprised circle of a mouth made from string. This tangible process of building a face, piece by piece, deepens their understanding beyond a fleeting expression in a mirror. It allows them to pause, analyse, and discuss the specific features that define each feeling, solidifying the connection between its name, the sensation and its visual representation. This creative work transforms an abstract internal experience into a concrete, shared object of learning, making the world of emotions something they can literally hold in their hands.
By giving Pre-Nursery children a map to their own inner world, we are creating a supportive environment where every emotion is welcomed and validated. This is the first step in empowering them to manage their feelings effectively. Once a child can identify and name their emotions; “I feel angry,” “I am happy,” “I’m so excited!” They are no longer completely overwhelmed by them.
By Melissa Hitchin
Pre-Nursery Leader, Tadpoles Class Teacher
