Emotion Thermometers

Understanding that emotions have varying intensities helps children apply appropriate regulation strategies—big feelings need big strategies; small feelings need small strategies.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Introduce the concept of emotion intensity: 'Feelings come in different sizes! Sometimes we feel a little annoyed, sometimes we feel REALLY angry. Today we're going to learn about emotion thermometers!'

Create or display an emotion thermometer with levels from 1-5 (or use colours from cool to hot). Discuss what each level feels like in the body: 'At level 1, you might feel a tiny bit frustrated. At level 5, you might feel like you're going to explode!'

Focus on one emotion at a time. For anger: 'Level 1 anger is irritated—maybe something is slightly annoying. Level 3 anger is mad—you're really frustrated but can still think. Level 5 anger is furious—it's hard to think or talk.'

Discuss triggers for different levels: 'What might cause level 1 anger? What might cause level 5 anger?' Help children see that the same trigger might cause different levels in different people or on different days.

Match strategies to levels: 'Level 1-2 feelings might need just a deep breath. Level 3 feelings might need the calm-down corner. Level 4-5 feelings might need adult help and lots of cool-down time.'

Create personal emotion thermometers where children identify their triggers and strategies for each level.

Educator tip

Help children recognise early warning signs before they reach level 5. 'What does your body feel like at level 2? If you notice that feeling, you can use strategies before it becomes level 5!'

Assessment

Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Observe understanding of intensity levels, appropriate trigger identification, and strategy-to-level matching.

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