Naming feelings

Identifying and labeling emotions

"I don't know!" That's what you get when you ask what's wrong. They're flooded with something big but can't find the words - so it comes out as tears, tantrums, or silence. Helping kids name what they feel is one of the most powerful things you can do. It's also a skill that takes time.

What to Know

When kids can't name what they're feeling, they act it out instead. The tantrum, the shutdown, the "I don't know" — these are all signs that the feeling is there but the words aren't. This isn't a vocabulary problem you can solve with a feelings chart on the fridge. It's a developmental process that takes years.

Young children experience emotions as physical sensations before they understand them as feelings. They feel the tight chest, the hot face, the urge to run — but connecting those sensations to words like "anxious" or "frustrated" requires brain development that's still in progress. You're not teaching a word. You're helping them build a bridge between body and language.

The goal isn't a child who can name every feeling on command. It's a child who gradually develops awareness of their inner world — and trusts you enough to share it.

Signs to Watch

•Says "I don't know" when asked what's wrong
•Melts down over seemingly small triggers
•Complains of stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause
•Acts out feelings rather than expressing them verbally
•Struggles to explain why they did something
•Uses "mad" or "sad" for every negative emotion

Stories

Me Too, Actually

When Jamal admitted he was scared, he expected laughter. Instead: 'Me too.' 'Same.' 'I still sleep with a nightlight.' He wasn't alone after all.

The Me I'm Becoming

I used to be scared of everything. I used to cry when I didn't get my way. I'm different now. And I'll be different tomorrow. That's called becoming.

The Long Way Home

Jordan takes the long way home. Not because he's lost—because he needs time to think. By the time he gets there, the hard stuff feels smaller.

The Land of Loud Feelings

When his room feels too small for his big feelings, Jaxon travels to the Land of Loud Feelings—where he can stomp and roar and be wild. When he's done, home is waiting.

The Boy Who Only Frowned

Marcus frowned. At breakfast, at school, at everything. He thought that was just who he was. Then someone smiled at him anyway—and something shifted.

The Girl Who Felt Everything

Iris feels things bigger than other kids. Sad movies make her sob. Loud noises hurt. Joy feels like fireworks. She learns her big feelings are a gift—she just needs tools to hold them.

Strong People Cry

Firefighters cry when they're sad. Athletes cry when they're proud. Dads cry when they're happy. Even superheroes cry. Strong people feel all their feelings.

I'm Not Scared of Anything (Until I Was)

Jordan bragged about being brave. Nothing scared him—until he took the wrong path and suddenly everything did. His little sister found him. 'Even brave people get lost sometimes,' she said.

Grumpy Goose

Greta woke up grumpy. Her friends try everything—jokes, treats, games. Nothing works. Finally, Duck just sits with her. 'Sometimes I'm grumpy too.' And that's enough.

I've Got This

Hard things happen. Zoe's ice cream falls. Her friend moves away. She doesn't make the team. Each time, she finds her words: 'This is hard. I'm sad. And I've got this.'

Maybe I'm Not the Bad Kid

Everyone calls Devon the bad kid. But Devon isn't bad—he's struggling. When someone finally asks 'what's wrong?' instead of 'why are you like this?'—everything changes.

The Worry Before the Show

The night before her recital, a worry appeared on Ava's shoulder. By morning, it was huge. When she told her mom, the worry got smaller—small enough to carry on stage.

The Fizzy Feeling

Sometimes a fizzy feeling shows up in Charlie's chest. It bubbles and pops. It's called anxiety—and it's trying to protect him. Charlie learns to say 'thank you' and then 'I've got this.'

The Kindness Cup

Everyone carries an invisible cup. Kind words fill it up. Mean words spill it out. When you fill someone else's cup, yours gets fuller too.

When I Turn Into Someone Else

When Nico gets really mad, he doesn't feel like Nico anymore. He stomps and yells and doesn't recognize himself. Afterwards, Mom helps him find his way back.

The Scared Feeling Has a Name

When the scared feeling comes, Maya gives it a name: 'Hello, Fear.' Naming it makes it smaller. Fear isn't the boss—Maya is.

Shrink Your Worries

Zara's worries feel enormous. Her school counselor teaches her to draw them big on paper—then fold the paper smaller and smaller until the worry fits in her pocket.

The Feelings Jar

Emma's feelings are all jumbled up—angry-sad-scared-excited all at once. Grandpa gives her a jar and teaches her to name each feeling and give it a color.

Mouths Are Not for Screaming

When big feelings come, sometimes Ollie screams. But screaming hurts ears—his own and everyone else's. His mouth can do other things: hum, breathe, ask for help.

Monsters Get Hangry Too

When Gus the monster gets hungry, he gets HANGRY. He growls, stomps, and can't think straight. His mom recognizes the signs: 'Gus, when did you last eat?'

Cooling Down the Fire

When anger shows up, it feels like fire. This story teaches three ways to cool the flames: name it, breathe on it, and find what's underneath.

A to Z Calm

A is for Ask for help. B is for Breathe. C is for Count to ten. From A to Z, there's always something to try when feelings get big.

Today I Feel...

Today I feel wiggly. Yesterday I felt shy. Tomorrow I might feel brave. Feelings come and go—like weather inside me.

Worrysaurus Rex

Rex has a special day planned, but worries keep popping up. What if it rains? What if nobody comes? His mom teaches him to feel his feet on the ground—just this moment, right now.

My Body Tells Me Things

Kayla's tummy hurts, but she's not sick. Her heart beats fast, but she didn't run. Her body is sending messages—and learning to listen helps her understand what she needs.

This Is How I Feel

Happy feels like sunshine inside. Sad feels heavy, like carrying a rock. Scared feels tight, like holding your breath. Every feeling has a feeling—and a name.

Things That Make Me Feel Better

When I feel bad, some things help. Warm socks. My dog's fur. The smell of pancakes. A hug that lasts long. I'm making a list so I don't forget.

The Perfect Slow Day

Nothing special happened. No plans, no places to go. Just a slow day with puddles to splash, snacks to eat, and nowhere to be. Sometimes nothing is everything.

My Weather Inside

Sometimes I'm sunny. Sometimes I'm stormy. Sometimes I'm foggy and don't know why. All weather is real weather. All feelings are real feelings. They come, and they go.

I'll Love You When You're Grumpy

I'll love you when you're grumpy. When you yell, when you cry, when you slam the door. My love doesn't have conditions. It's just there—always.

Inside My Chest

Sometimes my chest feels tight like a fist. Sometimes it feels open like the sky. All my feelings live in there—and I'm learning to let them breathe.

All My Feelings Are Okay

Sometimes I feel happy. Sometimes I feel grumpy. Sometimes I feel scared AND excited at the same time. All my feelings are okay—they're just visiting.

Even Grumps Have Feelings

Grandpa seems grumpy. But Mia learns that grumpy is just tired, or worried, or missing Grandma. Everyone has feelings—even people who don't show them.

Breathe Like This

Breathe like a lion—big and loud. Breathe like a bunny—quick and small. Breathe like a sloth—slow and long. Which breath do you need right now?

Faces Tell Stories

Look at that face—is it happy or pretending? Sad or just tired? Faces tell stories if you look closely. What story is YOUR face telling right now?

I Am the Boss of My Anger

Anger tries to take over Jayden's body. But with help from Uncle Ray, Jayden learns he's the boss—he just has to slow anger down long enough to prove it.

The Worry That Followed Me Home

A small worry follows Ben home from school. The more he ignores it, the bigger it grows. When he finally tells Dad about it, the worry shrinks—small enough to carry.

When Milo Got Mad—Really, Really Mad

Milo's anger feels like a thunderstorm inside. He learns his anger is allowed—it just needs somewhere to go.

Articles

Teaching Kids to Use Their Words Instead of Their Fists

Building communication skills that replace physical aggression.

Teaching Empathy: Raising Kids Who Care About Others

How to nurture genuine compassion in your child.

Helping Children Cope with the Death of a Loved One

Guiding your child through grief and loss.

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Explaining Difficult World Events to Children

How to talk about scary news without increasing anxiety.

Supporting Children When a Parent Is Ill

How to help your child cope when a parent has a serious illness.

When a Pet Dies: Helping Children Through Their First Major Loss

Supporting your child through the death of a beloved pet.

Helping Your Child Through Divorce: An Age-by-Age Guide

What children need at each developmental stage when parents separate.

Helping Your Only Child When a Sibling Isn't Coming

Supporting children who wish for siblings, especially after loss or infertility.

When Your Child Says "I'm Stupid" or "I'm Ugly": Responding to Negative Self-Talk

How to respond when your child puts themselves down.

Dealing with Whining: How to Respond Without Losing Your Mind

Why kids whine, what makes it worse, and how to break the cycle.

When Worry Takes Over: Helping Kids with "What If" Thinking

How to respond when your child spirals into endless worst-case scenarios.

7 Things to Say When Your Child Is Worried

Phrases that actually help anxious kids feel heard and supported.

The Worry Brain: Teaching Kids How Anxiety Works

Help your child understand their anxious thoughts with this simple, kid-friendly explanation.

The 5-Minute Calm-Down Routine That Actually Works

A simple, repeatable routine to help your child move from overwhelm to calm.

Tantrums at 2 vs. 4 vs. 6: Age-Appropriate Expectations and Strategies

What's developmentally normal at each age, and how to adjust your approach.

What to Do After the Tantrum Is Over

The post-meltdown window is a teaching opportunity—if you use it right.

7 Things to Say When Your Child Is Mid-Meltdown

Exact phrases that help de-escalate tantrums without making things worse.

Activities & Worksheets

Activities coming soon

Downloadable activities and worksheets for this topic.