Core Skills Analysis
Emotional Literacy and Self-Regulation
- Romi learned to identify and label different emotions accurately, improving his emotional vocabulary.
- He practiced self-awareness by reflecting on his feelings and recognizing when he experiences difficult emotions.
- Romi shared personal coping strategies, such as using the TV to calm and distract himself from frightening thoughts at night.
- He demonstrated an understanding of cognitive processes by acknowledging that some fears are based on thoughts he knows are unlikely to happen.
Tips
To deepen Romi's emotional understanding and self-regulation skills, encourage expressive arts like drawing or storytelling to help externalize feelings. Introduce mindfulness exercises or guided breathing techniques to manage anxiety and intrusive thoughts before bedtime. Create a safe space for discussing fears openly, reinforcing that it is okay to have difficult feelings and explore calming strategies together. Role-play different scenarios to build confidence in coping with various emotions and develop resilience over time.
Book Recommendations
- The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas: A vivid picture book that helps children understand and express different emotions through a colorful monster's feelings.
- When Sophie Gets Scared by Molly Bang: This story gently addresses childhood fears and offers comforting strategies to children dealing with anxiety.
- In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek: A beautifully illustrated book presenting a range of emotions and encouraging children to explore their inner feelings.
Learning Standards
- PSHE - Health and Wellbeing: Recognising and managing feelings (e.g., managing emotions and knowing how to calm down) (DfE PSHE Programme of Study Yr2)
- English - Speaking and Listening: Using spoken language to explore feelings and experiences (National Curriculum Year 2)
- Science - Humans and Animals: Understanding that thoughts can affect feelings/behaviour (link to science of senses and brain KS1)
Try This Next
- Create an 'Emotion Diary' worksheet where Romi can draw or write about emotions he feels each day, noting what helps him feel better.
- Prepare a simple quiz with scenarios asking Romi to identify the emotions involved and suggest calming strategies to manage them.