Social and Emotional Learning Skills Strategy Packet

Teachers can support students in labeling emotions through the following activities:

• Help the student identify an emotion they are experiencing (e.g., “You look like you’re feeling sad. Am I right?”)
• Encourage students to recognize the facial expressions commonly associated with emotions (e.g., “You look like you’re feeling really happy! I see a big smile.”)
• Support students in identifying the emotions of others while reading books and interacting with classmates (e.g., “How do you think Ashby feels right now? How can you tell?”)

Identifying and labeling emotions supports children in self-regulating and conflict resolution. Objectives related to these skills are best suited for this strategy.

Whole Group: Students can practice labeling their emotions, others’ emotions, characters’ emotions, etc.

One-on-One: Students can practice identifying emotions through role play, stories, videos, and conversation. Routines: Students may identify their own emotions on a daily or twice-daily basis.

In the Moment: Teachers may support their students in identifying their own emotions as well as others’ emotions in the moment. People often struggle to identify and discuss their challenging emotions in the moment, so it is often beneficial to save the longer conversations for a later time.