Paper Plate Feelings Faces

Lesson 214 – Based on Ideas by Debbie Haren, Preschool Teacher
Grade Level: Preschool

Objectives

Children will:

  • Identify and name common feelings

  • Recognize facial expressions that match emotions

  • Express their own feelings through art

  • Build vocabulary for social–emotional learning

  • Practice sharing and discussion

Materials

  • Small paper plates (4 per child)

  • Popsicle sticks

  • Markers or crayons

  • Glue

  • Optional: yarn, googly eyes, stickers

  • A book about feelings (optional but recommended)

Suggested Books About Feelings (if available)

  • The Way I Feel by Janan Cain

  • Glad Monster, Sad Monster

  • Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis

  • When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry

  • How Do You Feel? by Anthony Browne

Plan

1. Begin with a Feelings Discussion

Read a book about feelings OR have a simple group talk.
Questions to ask:

  • “How would you feel if your favorite toy broke?”

  • “How do you feel when you’re sick?”

  • “How do you feel when you meet someone new?”

  • “What makes you feel happy?”

  • “What makes you feel excited/scared/sad?”

Let each child share if they want to.

2. Introduce the Art Project

Explain that children will create four feelings faces on paper plates, one on each plate.
Suggested feelings:

  • Happy

  • Sad

  • Mad

  • Surprised
    (But students may choose their own!)

3. Make the Feelings Faces

Give each child:

  • 4 paper plates

  • Crayons/markers

Let them draw a different face on each one.
Add optional materials for details:

  • Yarn for hair

  • Stickers or googly eyes

  • Colored paper for eyebrows or tears

4. Add the Handles

  • Glue a popsicle stick to the bottom of each plate

  • Allow to dry
    These become “feelings puppets.”

5. Feelings Sharing Time

Have children sit in a circle and hold up a puppet when you name an emotion:

  • “Show me your happy face.”

  • “Show me a time you felt sad.”

  • “Which puppet would you hold up if you were scared of a loud noise?”

Encourage children to take turns explaining their choices.

6. Use the Puppets for Play

Options:

  • Keep at school for the dramatic play area

  • Send home in a bag to share with families

  • Use during morning meetings to practice identifying emotions

  • Use during conflict resolution or classroom routines (“Show me how you feel.”)

Comments

Students love making and playing with their feeling faces. They spark great conversations and help children identify emotions in themselves and others—an important part of social-emotional learning.

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