It is important to work on emotional intelligence starting at an early age. Thankfully, there are a lot of great ways you can incorporate EI into storytime! Here are a few.
Books
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney
Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions (N/A) (Board Book)
A Kiss Means I Love You by Kathryn Madeline Allen
Activities
“Frog Gets a Boo Boo”
This”5 little…” rhyme tells a story about reacting to a friend getting hurt. Bring out the frog puppet(s) for an extra does of fun!
“Frog Gets a Boo Boo”
One, two, three, four, five (hold up hand and count fingers)
Five little frogs standing in a row
This little frog stubbed his toe (point to each finger, following the rhyme)
This little frog said, “Oh, Oh, Oh!”
This little frog laughed and was glad
This little frog cried and was sad
This little frog, so thoughtful and good,
Ran for the doctor as fast as he could
“Boo Boo”
While “Frog Gets a Boo Boo” is about reacting to a friend getting hurt, this one is about when you get hurt! To the rhythm of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.”
“Boo Boo”
One, two I’ve got a boo-boo
Three, four, oh, it’s sore!
Five, six, blow it a kiss
Seven, eight, put the bandage on straight
Nine, ten now it’s better again!
“If You’re Happy and You Know It”
This classic children’s song is actually great for learning about reactions and emotions!
“If You’re Happy and You Know It”
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it,
Then your face is gonna show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re sad and you know it, wipe your eyes…
If you’re mad and you know it, stomp your feet…
If you’re scared and you know it, hide your eyes..
Feelings Faces
I made simple smiley face flannels for a variety of emotions. Then I held then up, one by one, and we acted out the emotion together.
