10/06/2026
✨ Building an Emotional Vocabulary, One Feeling at a Time ✨
Over the last few weeks, one of the young people I work with has been creating this wonderful emotions board.
Together, we’ve explored different feelings, talked about what they mean, when they might show up, and what they can feel like in our bodies and minds. We’ve discussed emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, calmness, pride, anxiety, excitement, curiosity, frustration, disappointment and many more.
The aim isn’t to “fix” feelings or make difficult emotions disappear. It’s about helping young people recognise, understand and communicate how they’re feeling in a safe and meaningful way.
This board is now going home, where a simple star can be moved to the emotion that best reflects how they’re feeling that day. It’s a gentle way for family members to understand what might be going on without needing lots of words.
Sometimes saying “I’m sad,” “I’m anxious,” or even “I need some space” can feel difficult. Having a visual tool like this can make those conversations much easier.
Emotional awareness is a skill that lasts a lifetime, and it’s always a privilege to watch a young person grow in confidence as they learn to understand themselves a little better.
🧡 Every emotion is welcome.
🧡 Every feeling has a purpose.
🧡 Understanding feelings helps us understand ourselves.
