Grade Levels: K-3

These family and homeschool activities are designed to complement the Emotions topic page on BrainPOP Jr.

Fairy Tale Feelings

Read a fairy tale or other story your child knows and loves. As you tell the story, pause at points where characters are expressing emotions. For example, when the Big Bad Wolf blows down the pigs’ houses. Ask your child what the characters are feeling and how she knows. Encourage your child to look at the illustrations, too, to help identify the emotion. Ask your child what makes her feel this way.  

HALTED!

Let your child know that everyone–even adults–have times when they feel grumpy and don’t know why. When that’s the case, think of the word HALTED to help them figure out why they feel down: “Are you Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, Embarrassed, or Disappointed?” These are the states of mind that can make people do or say things they later regret, so if the answer to any of those questions is “Yes,” it’s time to be aware of it. If you know you’re hungry, then eat. If you’re tired, take a nap. Discuss with your child a time when you were hungry or tired and weren’t aware of it. Has that happened to them?

Mindful Hero

Tell your child that many people all over the world use meditation to calm their minds and get connected to their emotions. You and your child can do a quick Hero’s Meditation together. Take the “Hero Pose” with your child by kneeling on the ground and then sitting back onto your calves. Set a one-minute timer on your phone, and close your eyes. Encourage your child to let thoughts pass by like clouds–to notice them but not to hold on to them. When the timer rings,  discuss what the Hero’s Meditation felt like. Did it feel longer or shorter than a minute? Did it make them feel fidgety? Did they think of anything that made them uncomfortable? Of something that made them feel happy? Were they able to let go of thoughts?