“God Gave Us Feelings” By: Leena Vincenz-Gavin

“God Gave Us Feelings”                                                                By: Leena Vincenz-Gavin

 

Aims

  • To learn about the different feelings we can express
  • To understand that God wants us to learn to love others. He loves us and wants us to be happy.

 

Materials

  • Paper plates
  • Crayons
  • 4 books on feelings “When I’m Feeling- Sad, Scared, Angry, Happy”
  • Print outs

 

Crowns

  • Have children find their name crown & sit down on the carpet.

 

Behavior Reminders

  • Criss cross apple sauce, listening with our ears, zip our mouths when someone else is talking, raise your hand to speak, you can only wear your crown if you’re participating in the lesson. If you go off and play- you have to give up your crown.

 

Attention Grabber

  • Song: If You’re Happy and You Know It

Sing standing up a few times: end with “If You’re Happy and You Know it- sit down, If You’re Happy and You Know it- cross your legs, If You’re Happy and You Know it then your face will surely show it, if you’re happy and you know it- fold your hands in your lap!”

 

Introduction

  • God gave us feelings. Show pictures of children with different emotions. What emotion is each child expressing?
  • Practice showing different feelings. Can you make a happy face? Sad face? What does your face look like when you are sad or happy? When do you feel sad, happy, excited, bored, afraid, shy, angry, naughty?
  • Make your face to show an emotion. Who can guess which emotion it is?

 

 

Read Alouds:  “When I’m Feeling…” short picture book series by Trace Moroney

 

  • When I’m Feeling Scared

(Kids make scared expression every time I read the line “When I’m feeling scared.” If you’re scared- you should tell mom or dad, or say a prayer to God- to protect you and help you feel strong and good.)

 

  • When I’m Feeling Angry

(Kids make angry faces every time I read the line “When I’m feeling angry.” If you’re angry- take deep breaths. Try to calm down. Listen to music, draw or play soccer. Try not to yell or say mean things to others. Share your feelings with mom or dad.)

 

  • When I’m Feeling Sad

(Kids make sad faces every time I read the line “When I’m feeling sad.” If you’re sad- you should talk with someone. It’s okay to cry. If you see someone else sad, try to make them happy- say kind things, give them a hug.)

Feelings Song

Sung to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

I have feelings (point to self)

So do you (point to children)

Let’s all sing about a few.

I am happy (smile).

I am sad (frown).

I get scared. (Wrap arms around self and make scared face).

I get mad (make a fist and shake it or stomp feet).

I am proud of being me (hands on hips, shoulders straight, smile)

That’s a feeling too, you see.

I have feelings (point to self)

You do, too (Point to children)

We just sang about a few.

Conclusion:

 

  • God gave us feelings. It’s okay to have different feelings. It’s good to express how we feel- we can talk to God, True Parents, Jesus when we are feeling down. We can talk to our parents, older brothers sisters, friends. When you feel happy, excited, wonderful- share that feeling with others! When we do kind things for people- we spread joy & God’s love.
  • God loves you and wants you to be happy.

 

 

Read Aloud:

 

  • “When I’m Feeling Happy” (final read- no need to talk about it, just read it through)

 

 

Prayer:

  • Thank God for our feelings.

 

 

Arts & Crafts

 

  • Explain 2 crafts. And that crafts can be used at home to show your family how you are feeling! Kids can go back to table and work on one or both crafts. They can choose. Volunteers should help them make their crafts & help them practice using them.

 

Craft 1: Happy Face, Sad Face Craft (best for ages 3-5)

 

  • Using crayons- draw your face on a plate. (eyes, nose, cheeks, mouth, ears…) On one side draw you HAPPY, on the other side draw you SAD.
  • Glue a popsicle stick at the bottom of the plate.
  • Role Play: When you’re done- come sit on the mat with a friend. Ask each other questions like “When you’re outside do you feel happy or sad?” and have them show their face plate. Or “When you’re sick do you feel happy or sad?” and have them show their face plate…etc

 

Craft 2: Emotions Clock (best for ages 6-8)

 

  • Color in the emotions clock and arrow.
  • Cut out the clock and the arrow.
  • Have a teacher help you attach the arrow in to the middle of the clock.
  • Role Play: Sit with a partner and ask each other questions about feelings and answer questions using the clock. Or role play and show youre feelings throughout with the clock. (Basically practice using the clock).

 

Collect Name Crowns & Clean Up- The End.