Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Learning · The activity desk
Feelings in a picture book
Notice a character's feelings while reading together.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
An age-appropriate picture book featuring a character
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Choose a familiar book together and sit comfortably.
Adult's role: Read aloud and invite, but do not require, conversation about feelings. Different interpretations are welcome.
Let's make it happen
- Read a page together and look at the character's face or actions.
- Wonder aloud how the character might feel and what in the story gives a clue.
- Continue reading and notice whether the character's situation or feelings change.
Make it simpler: Point to a character and describe what is happening in the picture.
Clean up: Put the book away.
Let your child skip questions or stop reading at any point.