Emotions Thermometer
To develop emotional awareness by understanding that emotions have varying intensities.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Personal, Social & Emotional
- Learning area: Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Identifies intensity of emotions
- Uses thermometer to communicate
- Matches strategies to emotion size
- Shows developing regulation
Materials
- Large thermometer display
- Emotion size cards
- Moveable indicator
- Strategy cards
Instructions
TEACHING THE CONCEPT: 'Feelings come in different sizes! You can be a LITTLE bit cross or REALLY REALLY cross. Our thermometer shows how big the feeling is.'
MODELLING USE: 'I'm feeling a bit frustrated—maybe a 3 on our thermometer. Not a big 5, just a medium 3. I'm going to take some deep breaths to bring it down.'
HELPING CHILDREN USE IT: 'How big is your angry feeling right now? Show me on the thermometer. A 4? That IS a big feeling. When it's a 4, what strategy could help?'
MATCHING STRATEGIES TO SIZE: 'When it's a 1 or 2, talking about it might help. When it's a 4 or 5, we might need breathing or the calm corner first. Then we can talk.'