Naming Basic Emotions
Name and recognise basic emotions — happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, and surprised — in themselves and in others by looking at facial expressions and body language
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Teaching Table · Reviewed guide
Set out your lesson
“Feelings have names. Faces, body clues, and situations can help us choose a word such as happy, sad, angry, scared, or calm.”
Bring to the table
- Paper
- Crayons or pencil
Full guide and materials
- Paper
- Crayons or pencil
- Step 1. Draw or act out happy, sad, angry, scared, and calm.
- Step 2. Name a familiar situation that could bring each feeling.
- Step 3. Notice one possible face or body clue for each.
- Step 4. Mix the drawings and have your child name and explain them.
- Quick check. Read three simple scenarios. Success means your child gives a reasonable feeling word and one clue for two of them.
Worked example. Someone whose toy broke might feel sad; tears or low energy can be clues, although people show feelings differently.
Optional challenge. Name two feelings a person might have in the same situation and explain why.
What to notice. Save a photo of the feeling faces, or a short note recording two feelings and clues your child identified.
Compare teaching approaches
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
1 approach
Feelings have names. Faces, body clues, and situations can help us choose a word such as happy, sad, angry, scared, or calm.
Make five simple feeling faces, match each to a short situation, and name one body clue that might go with it.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
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Check understanding
- Label at least five basic emotions from pictures or real situations
- Match facial expressions to emotion words in a sorting activity
- Say 'I feel ___' using a correct emotion word when asked about their own day
“If your child sees a friend crying at a birthday party, can they tell you what that friend might be feeling and name the emotion?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Language
- Subject
- Personal & Social Development
- Domain
- Emotional Literacy
- Age range
- Ages 5–7
Standards