Managing emotions is key to mental health and happiness. It's healthy to be aware of feelings and how to handle them. Encourage your child to talk about their emotions, whether happy or sad or angry. Help your child learn words to describe them. As Daniel Tiger sings, “Use your words to say how you feel!” The whole family can then learn more about feelings by playing games and activities together.
When kids have big emotions, it can be difficult for them to listen and learn in that moment. Give them some space to calm down. Then talk about what happened and what they can do differently next time. It's helpful to talk about feelings when things are calm, so your child can practice how to manage them when things get tough.
PBS KIDS Talk About: Life Changes
Big life changes can be tough for everyone. Listen to grown-ups and kids as they talk about handling different changes and managing emotions.
Activities That Explore Feelings
Make a Healthy “Feelings Faces” Snack
Help your child think about how emotions look and feel with this activity from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood that doubles as a healthy snack!
Simple Games That Explore Feelings
Help your child learn about different emotions with these simple activities.
Explore Body Language With Feelings Charades
To a kid, feelings are everything. They’re big, scary, fantastic, amazing and strange. It’s a lot to process!
Understanding Emotions With a Feelings Faces Chart
15 min activityHelp your child identify and better understand their feelings by drawing faces with different emotions.
Create Your Own Feeling Words Book
20 min activityHelp your child label and understand different feelings.
You’ll Feel Better Again Jar
10 min activityMake a simple You’ll Feel Better Again Jar out of materials from around the house. Use this activity to talk with your child and find out about the activities that make them feel better.
Storybook Builder
Your child can design his own storybook featuring favorite Sesame characters in this pick-your-own-adventure game.
The Cookie Games
Cookie Monster is playing in the cookie games! Help him calm his feelings and win medals in three sporting events.
Activities for Calming Down
How To Make A Glitter Jar To Help Kids To Stay Calm
20 min activityPull out this mindfulness jar when your child needs help relaxing and settling down.
Bake “Get Out the Mad” Cookies
45 min activityKneading and pounding dough is one way that children can deal with strong feelings like anger and frustration. Try it with this delicious oatmeal cookie recipe.
11 Simple Self-Care Habits for Kids
Creating healthy habits of rest at a young age empowers kids to continue to be resilient in all life brings. Here are 11 easy strategies to help kids practice self-care.
9 Ways to Help Soothe and Comfort Your Child
Here are some tips to remind you that you are strong and that you can help your children and your family through these complicated times.
Practice Mindfulness With Belly Breathing
This calming exercise can help children as young as three practice feeling grounded.
Overcome Tough Feelings While Making Donkey Hodie’s Beach Bongos
30 min activityWhen Donkey Hodie feels frustrated at the beach, she does one of her favorite things to help her overcome those feelings and feel better: she plays her beach bongos! Make a set of beach bongos and help your child practice different ways to handle feelings of frustration!
Parent Resources on Managing Emotions
How Parents Can Get Comfortable Expressing Feelings
The catchy songs from "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" can help children and grown-ups learn to express their feelings. Here's how.
How Mindfulness Can Help Kids (and Parents!) Weather Emotional Storms
Being aware of our thoughts, emotions and breathing can help kids and parents to be mindful and calm.
“It’s OK to Get Mad”: Helping Kids Express Anger Without Hitting or Biting
Part of parenting is helping our kids understand their emotions and then respond in a way that does not hurt themselves or others.
"Use Your Words”: Moving Beyond Tantrums to Express Challenging Emotions
Learn how to help your child express her emotions in new ways and keep your cool during the process! Check out these research-based strategies to support your child at home.
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” Songs to Manage Feelings
The next time a meltdown arises, try one of these short and simple "Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood" songs to help your preschooler manage and ease those big feelings.
20 Activities to Help Your Child Manage Frustration
It’s normal and expected that children feel frustrated when things don’t go their way. Here are some simple activities that may help your child cope when they’re frustrated.
How to Help Your Child Manage Frustration
Help kids develop coping strategies to manage frustration.
5 Ways Books Can Help Your Anxious Child
Books can be a helpful tool to support children through big emotions and stressful situations. Consider these five ways to use books to help children relax while at home or on-the-go.
Breathing Exercises to Help Calm Young Children
The most foundational technique for mindfulness is deep breathing. Here are 10 tips from a mom and PBS KIDS characters to help your family practice breathing.
4 Family Benefits of Going Outside Together
Getting out into nature is a wonderful family activity. It incorporates physical activity, family bonding, and learning — not to mention, it’s really fun! Here are four great ideas for getting outside together.
Nature as Stress Relief for Kids
Playing in nature has a number of benefits for children. No matter where you live, here are some ways to reduce stress and anxiety by going outside.
Made possible by funding from Google Kids Space, a Google product.
