Feelings and emotions Word Search

Use it during a morning meeting, a calm-down corner, or a counseling session. Three levels share the theme. After finding a word, ask the child to show that feeling with their face or say when they last felt it. Younger children can point rather than speak. For a lesson on one topic, such as school worries, use My own words and enter up to 30 terms. A different sheet for each child avoids comparison.

Naming a feeling is the first step toward managing it, and this puzzle puts feeling words in front of children in a low-pressure way. Easy words such as SAD, MAD, SHY and GLAD are the ones young children already use. Medium adds nuance with PROUD, WORRY, UPSET and BORED. Hard brings ANXIOUS, NERVOUS, GRATEFUL and DELIGHTED, words that help older children be precise. A child who only says mad may start to see that FURIOUS and UPSET are different.

Ages 5 to 7 do best on Easy, one feeling word at a time. Grades 2 to 4 can try Medium, which works well in a small group. Hard fits upper elementary and middle school, where a wider vocabulary of feelings is useful. Skip the stopwatch, because this topic goes better slowly. Use the answer key to help a child along, not to check speed.

Is this suitable for a child who has trouble naming feelings?

Yes, start with Easy. The words are short and common, and you can talk about each one as it is found. Ask what it feels like in the body.

Can I add feelings that come up in class?

Yes. Switch to My own words and type up to 30 terms. The grid is rebuilt around them and the answer key follows. Single words fit best, like names of moods.

Should I time the child?

No. This topic works better at a slow pace. Let the child find a word, say it, and talk about it before moving on. Treat finishing as optional.