Many adults find it challenging to express a range of feelings and emotions let alone assist a child in doing so. “The Way I Feel” by Janan Cain is a book to assisting children in developing the vocabulary and exploring appropriate ways of expressing these emotions.
In a few recent groups, I have have sung this book like this:
Each emotion was then further explored using songs such as:
Silly: “Boom, Boom Ain’t it Great to be Crazy”
Scared: “We’re Going on a Monster Hunt”
Happy: “When I am happy I can S.M.I.L.E. ”
Sad: “When I am sad”
When I am sad, this is how I look. When I am sad I might cry.
When I am sad I don’t want to play. When I am sad this is how I look.
Angry: “Angry” (To the tune: One Little Froggy goes hop)
When angry feelings start to mount,
That’s when I take some time to count:
One….Two…..Three….Four…Five.
Counting helps me settle down,
Counting helps to fade my frown:
Six…Seven…Eight…Nine…Ten.
Excited: Bounced around to “Popcorn”
Great video JoAnn! Very creative, colorful and educational. This reminded me of my friend’s 4 y/o son who is really intelligent but has some sensory issues (hitting, biting other kids). He’s so sensory-focused, or not…and seeing emotions in play like you do is going to be more effective for teaching him than plain reading from a book.
Lovely to see you in action :).
I am so glad you enjoy the video. Sometimes singing is a way to create a focus. Cuing with music is something music therapists often create for clients providing specifics related to each client.
Here’s another great song to use when discussing emotions: http://youtu.be/Po5lHYJJQfw