Understanding feelings ages 9-12

Understanding Feelings

Understanding feelings is an important life skill that helps children build confidence, self-awareness and emotional wellbeing.

In this session, children explore different emotions and learn that all feelings are normal. We look at how emotions can affect both the body and mind, and how recognising feelings early can help us respond to them in healthy ways.

Together, we explore emotions such as happiness, worry, anger, sadness, excitement, frustration and calm. Children learn that feelings can change in intensity, growing from small feelings into bigger emotions if they are not noticed and supported.

During the session, children will:

✔ Learn what emotions are and why we experience them

✔ Understand that all feelings are normal

✔ Explore different emotions and how they can feel

✔ Recognise how emotions can show up in the body

✔ Learn that feelings can grow from small to big

✔ Practise simple calming strategies to help their body settle

Children will also create their own Feelings Thermometer wellbeing tool to help them recognise emotional intensity, communicate how they are feeling and identify when they may need support or calming strategies.

This session also includes:

✔ Pre-recorded lesson

✔ Printable worksheets and activities

✔ Parent overview

✔ Simple calming techniques

✔ Information about mindfulness and how it can help the body settle

Recommended for children aged 9–12 years.

Looking for the complete programme? This session is Week 1 of the Spark & Settle 6-Week Children’s Wellbeing Programme. The full programme is also available as a separate purchase and includes all 6 sessions.

Please note: This is an educational wellbeing session designed to teach emotional awareness and self-regulation skills. It is not therapy, counselling or a mental health treatment service.