This week in the Blue Room we continued to talk about our feelings and emotions.  The children were active participants in group discussions about what makes them feel angry, scared or disappointed.  They all had ideas about what makes them feel sad, for example: missing mom or dad, the ice cream falling off an ice cream cone, or when someone takes their toy.  It is important that we name children's feelings in order to validate them.  After that, we can introduce a coping strategy.  "I see that you are feeling upset because you didn't get the truck you wanted.  Maybe we can find another one that you can play with until it's your turn to use the red one."  Taking a brief walk in nature can also help to give a child time to calm themselves.

Teaching early childhood concepts through children's literature is a proven way to reach children and help them to identify with the traits of the characters in a book.  Children relate to stories where the protagonists have the same feelings that they may have.  In one story, a little girl goes outside in nature to calm herself down when she's angry.  In another story, the children have control over whether the Big Green Monster stays or goes.  The book On Monday When It Rained shows emotions along with the facial cues to go with them.  We liked the page where the little boy felt proud, because we've been working on developing their feelings of intrinsic pride in their accomplishments.