Fun activities to help families nurture Emotional Literacy and Self-Esteem

Play a game of emotional charades with your child. Write down different emotions on small pieces of paper and place them in a jar. Take turns picking a paper and acting out the emotion without using words while the other person guesses. This activity helps children recognise and understand different emotions and encourages empathy and perspective-taking.

Create a feelings collage using magazines, coloured paper, and art supplies. Ask your child to find pictures representing different emotions and create a collage that visually portrays a range of feelings. This activity sparks conversations about emotions and helps children develop vocabulary to express their feelings.

Stand in front of a mirror with your child and take turns making different facial expressions. Encourage your child to identify the emotions conveyed by each expression. Discuss how facial expressions can communicate feelings and how recognising emotions in others can help us understand their experiences.

Create a positive affirmation jar with your child. Decorate a jar and cut out small pieces of paper. Together, write down positive affirmations or compliments on the papers and place them in the jar. Encourage your child to pick a note from the jar each day and read it aloud, fostering self-esteem and a positive self-image.

Engage in regular “feelings check-ins” with your child. Set aside dedicated time to talk about how they are feeling, using feelings words to describe their experiences. Create a safe and non-judgmental space where they can freely express their emotions, fostering emotional awareness and communication.

Read or create stories together that highlight various emotions. Discuss the characters’ feelings throughout the story and encourage your child to identify and empathise with those emotions. This activity helps children understand different perspectives and enhances emotional literacy.

Start a gratitude journal with your child. Each day, encourage them to write or draw something they are grateful for. This activity promotes a positive mindset, helps children recognise the good in their lives, and boosts self-esteem by focusing on appreciation and self-worth.

Regularly engaging in some of these activities with young children can promote emotional literacy and self-esteem, providing them with essential tools for their overall well-being. Emotion charades, feelings collages, mirror exercises, positive affirmation jars, feelings check-ins, storytelling with emotions, and gratitude journals all contribute to developing emotional awareness, empathy, and a positive self-image.

Remember, these activities should be approached with patience, love, and a spirit of exploration. Enjoy the journey of fostering emotional growth and building solid foundations for your child’s future.

If you think your child could benefit from more support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Apply for one of our services