Originally Posted by
Maza
I use puppets/cuddly toys all the time, but they are just our everyday toys, not ones that I bought especially - they don't need to be. I act out little scenarios with them as and when needed - for example, one puppet it not sharing any of the colouring pencils - I get the children to observe what is happening, talk about the feelings of those involved and come up with possible solutions. I have used them to discuss anything from not tidying up, name calling, home sickness, loneliness, leaving a child out of a game, showing off etc. The children love it. It's a great way of introducing new 'feelings words' - you can bet your life that each time you say "Oh dear, so how do you think Bunny is feeling now?" they will all say "saaaad", so it's a great way to improve their emotional literacy. Then obviously you need to help the children to recognise and name these feelings in themselves in real life contexts.
I have some lovely books too. If you go on Amazon and just type in stories about emotions and loads will come up. I usually read the blurb/reviews and order them from my local library. If I think they are worth becoming a permanent resource then I will buy it after reading it first.
I got a beautiful book full of postcards from Oxfam years ago. Each one is just an image of a person/people from around the world in a positive context in everyday life. Some of them have a huge smile on their face, or are rocking a little one who looks sleepy, have a determined look on their faces, look proud etc etc. It's a fabulous resource in general for Understanding the World. I think they still do similar things in Oxfam. I also have a collection of photos of real children that I have collected from various sources showing some negative emotions too.
Sometimes we play games like 'Simon Says show me a happy/angry/scared/sad/excited/surprised face' or "Who can describe how Teddy is feeling today by listening to 'how' he says his words?" The teddy can then say "Good afternoon children" in a tired/scared etc voice.