Free Printable Feelings Chart for Kids – Download Today
Helping children express their emotions in a healthy and constructive way is an important part of parenting. If your child struggles to communicate how they feel or share experiences from their day, a chart can be a powerful tool. We’re offering a free printable Feelings Chart that you can download and start using right away with your child to encourage better emotional awareness and communication.
What Is a Feelings Chart?
This is a visual tool that displays a range of emotions and moods using simple words or images. Children, especially younger ones or those with developmental differences, often find it difficult to verbalize their feelings. A Feelings Chart helps bridge that gap by allowing children to point to or circle how they are feeling. This makes it easier for them to share their emotions and opens up a dialogue with parents, teachers, or caregivers.
Whether your child is feeling happy, sad, angry, anxious, excited, or something else,this provides them with the language and structure to express those emotions in a safe and nonjudgmental way.
Why Use a Feelings Chart?
There are many benefits to incorporating a Feelings Chart into your daily routine with your children. Here are some key reasons parents and educators find them helpful:
- Improves Emotional Intelligence:It helps children learn to recognize and label their emotions, which is the first step in emotional regulation.
- Encourages Open Communication: Kids who use these are more likely to talk about their feelings and share events from their day. This can reduce misunderstandings and behavioral issues.
- Reduces Behavioral Problems: When children are unable to express their emotions, they may act out. They can prevent emotional build-up that leads to aggressive or disrespectful behavior.
- Builds Stronger Relationships: Sitting down together to talk through the chart creates a bonding moment between parents and children. It shows the child that you are listening, that you care, and that their feelings are valid.
Who Can Benefit from a Feelings Chart?
A Feelings Chart can be used by all children, but it is especially useful for:
- Young Children: Toddlers and preschoolers often don't have the vocabulary to describe their emotions. A simple chart with expressive faces can be an excellent resource.
- Children with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorders: Kids with attention or sensory issues sometimes struggle with emotional expression. A visual Feelings Chart offers them a concrete, structured way to communicate.
- School-Aged Children: Older children benefit from using more advanced charts that include both feelings and space to write about their day and what events triggered those feelings.
What’s Included in Our Printable Feelings Chart?
We offer two free downloadable Feelings Charts tailored for different age groups:
Feelings Chart for Younger Children
The first chart is designed specifically for younger kids or children who may have attention difficulties. This chart features simple illustrations and basic emotions that children can easily recognize and understand. Children can circle how they’re feeling and then use the last column to share more details about their day. This section is based on the "Five W’s" – Who, What, Where, When, and Why – to help guide the child in talking about the events that led to their feelings.
Parents can either write down what the child says or encourage the child to write it themselves if they’re able.Feelings Chart for Older Children
The second chart is intended for older children who are more capable of expressing themselves in writing. This version includes a broader range of emotions and space for the child to write down specific events associated with each feeling. For example, if your child got an “A” on a test, they could write “A on math test” under the emotions “Proud” and “Happy.” This helps children draw connections between their experiences and their emotional responses.
How to Use the Feelings Chart Effectively
- Set a Routine: Choose a regular time each day – like after school or before bedtime – to sit down with your child and review the chart together.
- Create a Safe Environment: Make sure your child feels comfortable sharing honestly without fear of punishment or judgment.
- Be Supportive: Validate your child’s feelings, even if you don’t fully understand them. Phrases like “I’m glad you told me” or “That must have felt hard” go a long way.
- Track Progress: Over time, you may start to notice patterns in your child’s emotional responses, helping you address any underlying issues or concerns.
Additional helpful methods:
I have found it to also be extremely helpful to use social stories and fun animated videos to help children understand their feelings and how to respond when angry, scared or upset. The following videos are super helpful for younger children to learn about anger and how to manage difficult feelings.
Download Instructions for Your Free Feelings Chart
To access your free Feelings Chart, simply follow the instructions below. You will need Adobe Reader (we recommend the latest version) to view and print the charts.
Note: It may take a few moments to download the file depending on your internet connection. Please be patient—it’s worth the short wait!
- Step 1: Click on the link to open the chart in your browser.
- Step 2: If you want to save the file for later, right-click on the link and choose “Save Target As” or “Save File As.”
- Step 3: Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the file.
- Step 4: Temporarily disable any popup blockers to ensure the file opens correctly.
Feelings Chart 1
Feelings Chart 2
Start Encouraging Better Communication Today
By incorporating a Feelings Chart into your daily routine, you can create a supportive environment where your child feels seen, heard, and understood. These printable charts are simple to use, engaging for children, and a great first step toward developing lifelong emotional intelligence and communication skills.
Other Free Printables:
     |
     |