Teaching kids to recognize emotions and read faces

The importance of explicit instruction for reading facial expressions is well documented. Even though it is an area of focus normally reserved for individuals on the autism spectrum, it is helpful for all children. It helps them to recognize and identify the emotions of others, which allows them to build functional social skills.

Business people often study body language. Being trained to recognize subtle nonverbal cues helps them to accurately assess situations and respond more appropriately. It stands to reason that if adults can benefit from explicit instruction regarding facial expressions and body language, then so can children. Give kids a head start on developing social skills by using some of the following ideas. See the slide show at the bottom of the page for photos.

• Talk about different emotions and how people's faces look when they experience those emotions. Use a facial expression coloring sheet or emotion worksheet as a springboard for discussion.
• Use a free online game to give kids practice with recognizing some basic expressions.
• Cut pictures from magazines depicting people with different expressions. Talk about situations that could have caused them to feel the emotions that they are expressing with their faces.
• Make a face felt set using the instructions below. Name an emotion and have kids create the expression with the felt set.

Materials:
Felt sheets of different colors
Paper plate
Sharp scissors
Face template (optional)
Glue

Steps:
1. If you are using the template, print it and and cut it out.
2. Trace the template or draw your own face pieces on the felt and then cut them out. Make different mouths, noses, hair, facial hair, eyes and ears.
3. Cut a brown or tan circle the size of the paper plate and glue it to the plate to make the base for the face.
4. Name an emotion and have kids attempt to create an expression that matches that feeling on the felt face.

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