Expand Emotional Vocabulary with This Feelings Poster 

Happy, sad, angry, scared. These are fundamental emotions that children experience and become familiar with at an early age. 

But what about all the other emotions that human beings regularly experience? Frustration? Excitement? Boredom? Surprise?

Learning to understand the nuances that define each emotional state, as well as being able to read the facial and body cues that indicate these feelings, is a valuable social-emotional skill for children to develop at an early age. The greater the number of specific words that children can use to describe these feelings, the better equipped they are to express these feelings into adulthood. 

How Are You Feeling Today?

This feelings poster provides a visual representation of sixteen different emotional states. By viewing this poster regularly, students will not only increase their emotional vocabulary but will also come to recognize the facial and body cues that accompany each state.

The emotions included on the poster are: happy, surprised, tired, sad, excited, nervous, bored, angry, shy, energetic, frustrated, thoughtful, worried, scared, sick, and silly.

How to Make the Most of Your Feelings Poster

1. Print the color version of the poster on tabloid paper and display it in your classroom. Each morning, check in with your students by asking them to identify their feelings and why.
2. Print the black and white version of the poster on letter paper and provide to students as a coloring activity. Have them paste the sheet into one of their workbooks for safekeeping.
3. Use the poster as a stimulus for a group discussion. Ask the students to explore what situations might evoke each emotional state.

Before You Download

This resource prints as a PDF. Please use the dropdown menu to choose between the full-color or black-and-white version.

Take a deep dive into social and emotional literacy with your students using these other impactful resources:

teaching resource Emotional Self-Regulation Poster Promote emotional awareness and self-regulation in your classroom with this classroom poster. teaching resource Emotion Strategies Wheel Help your students self-regulate when they experience "big" emotions with this hands-on emotions wheel with accompanying calming strategies. teaching resource The Feelings Flow — Classroom Poster Help students understand the transient nature of emotions with this simple poem about feelings.