The Preschooler

Emotional Charades

When we talk to one another, we use changes in our voice and tone to represent different emotions.  We converse using emotions without even thinking about it.  However, children sometimes need practice in identifying and then using these emotions in their conversations.

During a game of charades, participants act out a word or scene without using their voices or any props.  They must often convey emotions using only the expression on their face and other body language.  Play a game of “emotions” charades with your child.  Create a set of cards which show a face of someone who is happy, sad, angry, excited, scared, etc.  Before beginning the game, go through the cards with your child to be sure he understands the emotion displayed on each card.

Shuffle the cards and act out the emotion for your child.  See if he can guess how you are pretending to feel.  Use as little sound as possible.  Now let your child have a turn.  Let him select his own card and try to get you to guess the emotion.  If he is struggling to get you to guess, allow him to use sounds but no words.  Repeat the activity for as long as it holds your child’s attention.

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Written by BRWI Staff on February 3, 2010