Every Learner by UpOnly Learning
How to teach emotions to kids
Children learn to name feelings the way they learn other words: by hearing them often, in real moments. Here are simple ways to start, based on early-childhood guidance.
Why feeling words matter
Head Start describes emotional literacy as the ability to identify, understand and respond to emotions, and notes that as children's feeling vocabulary develops, their ability to identify feelings in themselves and others also progresses[1]. Researchers at Vanderbilt's CSEFEL consider a feeling-word vocabulary of critical importance in a child's emotional development[2].
Five ways to start
- Name feelings as they happen: “You're frustrated. The tower fell.”
- Use pictures of feeling faces. Head Start suggests that adults can cut out pictures of different feeling faces to talk about[1].
- Start with a few feelings, and teach a balance of comfortable and uncomfortable ones[3].
- Let children point to a face to show how they feel during the day[3].
- Teach words for feelings so children have a way to express them other than through challenging behaviour[3].
A calm-down corner at home
The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations gives three simple rules for a calm-down area at home: practise it when the child is already calm, never use it as punishment, and you may add a visual that helps the child take deep breaths[4].
Autistic children and children with speech delays
Many autistic children respond well to pictures: visual supports are on the autism evidence-based-practice list[5]. Use the same cards at home and at school, and ask your child's teacher or SLP which feeling words to focus on.
When to ask for help
If you are worried about your child's development or behaviour, talk with your child's doctor. In the U.S. you can also contact your local early intervention program or public elementary school without a referral or diagnosis[6].
Free feelings cards to print
Our free Face Detectives feelings cards have original faces, a detective clue on each card and a calm-down square, with English, Spanish and Portuguese on every card.
Face Detectives Feelings Cards & Calm-Down Square
Feelings cards with original faces and a detective clue on each, a calm-down square with choices to try, a matching game and a one-page adult guide.
Download free (PDF)Black and white (PDF)
Free downloads need a free account with a verified email. No card.
Questions
You can name feelings with very young children. Head Start's guidance on labeling emotions is written for young children in early-childhood programs[1].
No. Teach a balance of comfortable and uncomfortable feelings[3].
No. A calm-down area is not used for punishment[4]. It is a place the child has practised using while calm.
Keep reading
Written by the UpOnly Learning team. Sources checked 26 Oct 2026; page updated 27 Oct 2026.
References
- HeadStart.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Fostering Emotional Literacy in Young Children: Labeling Emotions. Checked 26 Oct 2026.
- CSEFEL, Vanderbilt University. What Works Brief 21: Fostering Emotional Literacy in Young Children: Labeling Emotions (Joseph, Strain & Ostrosky). Checked 26 Oct 2026.
- National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI). Feeling Faces cards (English-Spanish). Checked 26 Oct 2026.
- National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI), funded by US Dept. of Education OSEP. Tips for Using a Calm Down Area at Home (07/07/20). Checked 26 Oct 2026.
- UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (AFIRM). Visual Supports Brief Packet (Sam & AFIRM Team, 2024, Updated). Checked 26 Oct 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Concerned About Your Child's Development? Learn the Signs. Act Early. (last reviewed Feb 17, 2026). Checked 26 Oct 2026.