1. Guess the Expression – The first game we did was “Guess the Expression.” I had them turn the card over and guess how each person was feeling. Some I had to explain a bit more if they didn’t quite get it.
2. Guess Your Expression - The next game was where they would pull the card and then try to replicate the expression or feeling. We would try and guess each facial expression and the meaning behind.
3. Match the Expression to the Proposed Situation - This game involved me making up stories for the facial expression. I said, “Which person do you think just found some moldy cheese? Which person was building a tower of blocks and it got knocked over? Which person just received a present they weren’t expecting?” I continued this way to cover every expression. I then had the girls make up their own scenarios – trying to figure out the reason for the emotion. I was then the guesser.
4. How should you respond? The final question I proposed to my girls was, “How should we respond when someone is feeling sad? Angry? Happy?” I talked about how we can feel sad with them or change our behavior if we are the catalyst for the feeling. I also told them how I felt angry last night when they wouldn’t go to bed like I asked but happy when I saw them helping each other today. I encouraged them to respond to both the non-verbal and verbal cues I was giving.
For years now, I have played “Show me….” with my nices, nephews and now my own kids. It bgean when I lvied in germany with my brother and family. My niece was often quite disagreeable when she had to be buckled into her car seat for road trips. So, I would distract her from her upset by saying “Show me happy!” “Show me angry.” “Show me sad.” ‘Show me silly.” before long, she and her sibs were making faces and laughing with me. A simple, time tested, fun game that would fit necely into your idea here… PS LOVE your sphotos!
That is such a great idea to do in the car. I remember I used to do it with my niece too. I haven’t done it with my kids yet though. Thanks for the reminder.
I love this idea. It is a good way to teach social skills to children and a lot of times we don’t really think about kids having to actually learn this skill. Thanks for linking up to Thinky Linky Thursday!
Lori @ Cachey Mama’s Classroom
It was a fun way to practice social awareness. Thanks!
What a great idea!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday! I hope you will share with us again this week!
I’m happy to post. Thanks.