Free Printable Gingerbread Emotions Puzzle Activity
How many times have you caught yourself saying to your kids, “Calm down, use your words!” Then, your well- meaning kiddos use a tone or volume that you definitely would not choose to listen to. Your children probably express emotions in the most dramatic way. This is common for preschoolers, as they haven’t established healthy boundaries with emotional expression. Teaching emotions to preschoolers doesn’t have to be tiresome. Put the pieces together of these yummy printable emotion faces to promote preschool social emotional development activities and fun at the same time!
Recommended Grade Level:
Gingerbread Emotions Puzzle Supplies:
- Printer/Ink
- Paper Cutter/Scissors
- Laminating Supplies
Early Learning Promoting Social Emotional Learning in Preschool
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN TO IDENTIFY EMOTIONS
LEARNING SOCIAL SKILLS AND COPING STRATEGIES IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. REALLY, IT’S WOVEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
Emotional health is key to a healthy life. You’ve probably attended professional development with wellness as the key topic. We know that as adults, but did you know it’s also our job to teach kids how to manage emotions?
Emotions activities for preschool should still be very much “at their level.” We’re not sitting down with them for therapy sessions! The gingerbread themed emotions puzzle pieces are a way to teach kids valuable vocabulary and coping strategies in one.
The puzzle pieces not only help kids identify and name the emotions, but then they have to match the word with how that emotion typically displays itself on our face. This opens up a world of opportunity to start role-playing, modeling and talking about how and when the child feels these same emotions.
Emotion cards included in the puzzle set: happy/angry/surprised/excited/proud/confused/embarrassed/sad/worried.
In addition to simply learning how to match the emotion with the expression, there could be additional questions for thought:
- Have you ever felt happy/angry/surprised?
- Tell about a time when you were proud?
- What emotions feel really good inside? Bad?
- What can you do when you feel angry?
What Can Preschoolers Learn About Emotions?
preschool emotions printables
ASKING STUDENTS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS CAN HELP BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND PROBLEM SOLVING.
This free printable preschool activity (the newest in our Gingerbread emotions series) will help you teach your children all about emotions. This gingerbread emotions puzzle will help your kids put two and two together (literally) to combine facial expressions and emotion words.
Soon conversations and strategies regarding emotions will be part of your daily routine.
If you’re looking for some creative ideas to help teach your children to express their feelings and emotions, here are some great tips:
- Teach simple feeling words.
- Create opportunities to discuss emotions, such as this gingerbread emotions puzzle activity.
- Reinforce positive expressions of emotions in the classroom or home.
- Pay attention to teachable moments during times your preschoolers are expressing intense emotions
Why Is It Important For Kids To Practice Social Emotional Development?
Besides teaching children to ‘use their words’ and not their fists, there are lots of other great reasons to teach young children to build positive relationships and have positive social interactions.
Vocabulary
Having conversations with your child will engage their thinking skills as well as their oral vocabulary. Use many words and phrases to create a literacy rich environment.
Make Friends
If your kiddo understands how their friend feels when their favorite toy breaks, they can empathize and try to help with tough feelings. Understanding other’s feelings can help children develop stronger relationships.
Self-Soothe
When a child can identify their feelings and what is making them feel that way, they can then start to figure out what makes them feel better and what calms them.
Physical & Mental Health
When your child has less anxiety in their life they are physically and mentally healthier. Being able to identify what causes anxiety and how to beat the blues is a huge step in promoting a healthy lifestyle.
How to Make the Activity:
To Prep:
Create the puzzles by printing the emotion word cards and emotion faces. Use a paper cutter to cut each emotion, then use scissors to zigzag cut along the middle to separate the face from the word. Laminate for durability.
To Use:
Lay the word pieces on one side of the area, and place the faces on the other side. Let children pick a word or face and find the match on the other side. Repeat!
Feel free to adapt the emotional activity any way you want to!
Extend the Activity:
Print Awareness
Have your child point to the letters in each word on the free emotions printable. Ask them to identify specific letters and the direction they would read in.
English Language Learners
Make sure that your English Language Learners are able to understand what the emotion word means. Teach the word in English and their native language.
Make Your Own Feelings
Have your child create their own puzzle piece with a new emotion word and drawn picture. Encourage them to make the same face as the gingerbread children.
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More Gingerbread Theme Emotions Games
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