1. What are feelings?

Starter

Using the video, show the children different facial expressions that represent simple emotions. Discuss what the children have seen: what do they already know about feelings? Introduce the idea that the children are going to become Emotion Detectives over the next few lessons and find out about different emotions.

Main Teaching

Using the presentation slides, explain to the children that everyone, including the adults in the classroom, has feelings. The children will be introduced to the idea that all feelings are okay. Explain to the children that some feelings are more comfortable than others. Use the slides to discuss some examples: have the children ever experienced these emotions? Give each child a mirror so they can demonstrate each facial expression. 

Task: Ask the children to make an emotion fan using the template provided. Using the slides in the presentation, ask the children to think of an emoji, drawing or colour that represents the feeling ‘happy’, then ask them to draw this emotion on their fan. Repeat this with the feelings excited, proud and calm.

Main Teaching

Bring the children back together to discuss feelings that might be more uncomfortable. These emotions may be sad, angry and worried. Using the presentation slides, discuss examples and ask the children if they have experienced any of these emotions. It is important that the teacher, and any other adult in the room, gives their own examples to demonstrate to the children that these feelings affect everyone, that they are OK, and to reduce any attached shame the children may have regarding these emotions. 

Task: Ask the children to add these additional emotions to their fans.

Teachers may wish to guide the children to add more emotions to the fans. The opportunities to do this may present themselves outside of these lessons, for instance at the start or the end of the day or when particular situations arise.