Hi, I'm Rudolph the emotional deer. How do you feel today? Happy? Tired? Sad? It is probably easy for you to answer. But imagine for a second that you are a two year old. You are still exploring the world around you. Your vocabulary is limited to tangible things and not some imaginary constructs like feelings. The simple question "How do you feel today?" puzzles you. What is "feeling". Yes, if you see tears you recognize that someone is crying. You know you smile when Mom says "Good job?". But you cannot relate a smile to a feeling.
Well, Rudolph The Emotional Deer is here to help.
Oh, wait, he has no eyes. And he does not have a mouth. And that is what this game is about. Invite the child to arrange eyes and mouth expressions to tell you how they felt today. Will the kid choose a smile or angry eyes. Try to find out why. Ask questions. "Why is Rudolph sad today?" Maybe he has been bullied by Prancer? Chances are your child will transfer their own emotions on the deer.
But what if your child is too little. Well, help them out. Create a story. "Little Rudolph was walking around Santa's House and found a present. How did that make him feel? He was happy." Place smiling eyes and mouth on the face. Now you are showing that a smile expresses happiness and help your child match facial expression to feelings.
The activity game is free for subscriber to this blog. Enter your email in the box under Follow this blog. Download the file and print it out. For best results make sure the Fit to page box is unchecked. Use heavy card stock and laminate for longer use.
Pssst, laminated card stock doubles perfectly as Play-Doh mat.
