Feelings Chart for Kids: What to Include and How to Use It
A feelings chart gives a child words and pictures for how they feel, so they can point instead of melting down. The simplest version is a row of faces with labels such as happy, sad, mad, scared, tired and excited. Older children can use a wheel with more precise words. This guide shows what to put on a chart for each age, how to use it every day, and how to pair it with calming breathing games.
Why a feelings chart helps
Young children often feel something big but have no word for it. A chart makes the invisible visible. It lets a child say "I feel this one" by pointing, which is easier than finding words in the middle of a strong feeling. It also gives parents a shared vocabulary: "I see you picked frustrated. What would help?"
A chart is a simple tool for families. It does not diagnose anything and is not therapy.
What to put on a feelings chart
Ages 3 to 5: six basic faces
| Feeling | Face to draw | Example prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Happy | Big smile | "What made you happy today?" |
| Sad | Down mouth, tear | "Do you want a hug or quiet time?" |
| Mad | Eyebrows down, mouth tight | "What happened before you felt mad?" |
| Scared | Wide eyes, small mouth | "Where do you feel it in your body?" |
| Tired | Half-closed eyes | "Do you need rest or a snack?" |
| Excited | Wide smile, eyes bright | "What are you looking forward to?" |
Keep it to four to six choices. More options overwhelm a preschooler.
Ages 6 to 8: add more specific words
Add feelings such as frustrated, nervous, proud, lonely, embarrassed, calm, surprised and silly. Ask the child to rate how big the feeling is: small, medium or big.
Ages 9 to 12: a feelings wheel
A wheel starts with basic feelings in the center and branches to more precise words in outer rings. For example, mad can branch to annoyed, jealous or furious. Older children often like to choose the word that fits best and explain why.
How to make your own
- Draw or print the faces. Use a large sheet of paper or a card.
- Label each face in plain words, written clearly.
- Put it where feelings happen. The kitchen, the car, a bedroom wall or the calm corner.
- Add a clip or arrow. A clothespin or a movable arrow lets a child mark their feeling.
- Keep it simple. If it takes more than a minute to use, it will not be used.
How to use it every day
- Morning check-in. "Which one are you feeling today?"
- After school. Before asking about the day, ask which face fits.
- During a hard moment. Hold up the chart and let the child point. Then wait.
- At bedtime. Name one feeling from the day and why.
- Model it. "I'm feeling a bit nervous about my meeting. I'm taking a deep breath."
What to say after they choose
- Name it back: "You're feeling frustrated."
- Accept it: "That makes sense."
- Offer a choice: "Do you want a hug, a drink of water, or a few slow breaths?"
- Wait before problem-solving. Many children calm down just by being heard.
Add calming tools to go with it
Naming a feeling is a first step; children also need something to do with it. Simple calming tools pair well with a chart. Among the 50 Screen-Swap Cards in the Focus Quest Activity System, the Breathe group has seven games, including Belly Breathing, Flower and Candle, Rainbow Breath, Feather Float, Five Senses Check-In, Quiet Minute Jar and Three Good Things. Each has three steps and an easier and harder version.
Focus Quest is an activity system for attention, memory and fine motor practice. It does not include a dedicated feelings chart or a full emotions curriculum. A separate add-on, Calm & Feelings (30 pages), covers that and is sold on its own. The directions above show how to make a simple chart yourself at no cost beyond paper and pens.
A sample 10-minute calm routine
| Minutes | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0 to 2 | Point to a feeling on the chart |
| 2 to 5 | A breathing game such as Belly Breathing |
| 5 to 10 | A quiet page: a maze, dot-to-dot or coloring page |
Coloring helps many children settle. The system includes 20 Mindful Coloring Pages.
Helping kids describe where a feeling lives
Many children can point to a face but cannot yet say what the feeling is like. Try a body check-in: "Where do you feel it? Tummy, chest, hands?" Draw a simple outline of a person and let your child color the spot. Over time, they learn their own early signals, such as a tight tummy before a worry or hot cheeks before frustration, and can choose a calming game sooner.
Common mistakes
- Too many choices for young children.
- Using the chart only after meltdowns. Use it in calm moments too, so it feels normal.
- Judging the feeling. There are no wrong feelings, only actions to talk about.
- Rushing to fix. Name it first.
When to ask for help
If your child's strong feelings are frequent, last a long time, or get in the way of school, friendships or sleep, talk to your pediatrician or a qualified professional.
Related guides
Set up a quiet space with calm down corner at home. For tracking effort and wins, see printable sticker and reward charts. For a regular practice schedule, see the 10-week focus routine plan.