Someone just sent me an email asking for some ideas to help children with self-concept. Helping children identify feelings and learn to express their emotions in positive ways is a 21st Century Skill and a key to emotional development.

If You’re Happy and You Know It

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (Clap twice.)

If you’re happy and you know it,

Then your face will surely show it. (Smile.)

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (Clap twice.)

If you’re sad and you know it cry your eyes… (Rub eyes.)

If you’re mad and you know it stomp your feet… (Stomp feet.)

If you’re scared and you know it shiver and shake… (Wrap arms and shake.)

If you’re surprised and you know it say, “Oh, my!”… (Open eyes wide.)

*Let children suggest other emotions and movements.

*Brainstorm what causes different emotions and appropriate responses. What makes you happy? What can you do when you’re happy? What makes you stressed? What can you do when you’re stressed?

*Make class books such as “Things to Be Happy About,” “Things that Bug Us,” or “Scary Things.”

*As you read books to the class, encourage students to describe how characters are feeling. Have they ever felt like that?

*Let children pantomime different feelings as friends try and guess what they are.

*Puppets can often help children express feelings and work out problems.