Feelings Words and Funny Faces

A mirror (optional but fun for face practice)

Just you and your toddler

Sit face-to-face with your toddler at their level.

Make a big happy face: huge smile, wide eyes. Say: "HAPPY! I'm feeling happy!"

Wait for toddler to try. Celebrate any attempt.

Switch to sad: pouty lip, droopy eyes. "Sad. I'm feeling sad."

Try surprised: mouth wide open, eyebrows up. "SURPRISED! Wow!"

Try angry: scrunched nose, furrowed brow. "Angry. Grrrr."

Play guessing: make a face and ask "How am I feeling?"

Name feelings all day: "You look frustrated. Is it because the block fell?"

Toddlers have big emotions but small vocabularies. This mismatch is the root of most tantrums. When you give them the word "frustrated" instead of just watching them scream, you're literally giving them a tool to replace the meltdown.

Start with the four basics: happy, sad, angry, surprised. Add more nuanced feelings later: excited, nervous, proud, silly, tired.

A mirror makes this extra fun — toddlers love watching themselves make silly faces, and it helps them connect the facial expression to the word.

The most important part of this activity isn't the game itself — it's the follow-through. Name emotions as they happen, all day. "You're so excited about the park!" "It's okay to feel sad that Daddy left."