Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to identify and label feelings in others.
- Students will be able to connect specific emotions to life events.
- Students will understand how empathy fosters connections and builds relationships.
Mindful Awareness Exercise:
Begin the lesson by using chimes or a singing bowl. Instruct students to listen attentively to the sound and follow it for as long as possible until they can no longer hear it.
Introduction:
Explain to students that feelings are an integral part of being human. We all experience a wide range of emotions that can be challenging to understand or describe, even as adults. Emphasize that feelings can be complex and that it’s normal to have multiple feelings simultaneously. Share that research suggests that many living beings, including animals and plants, also experience emotions.
Activity 1: Recognizing Feelings in Animals
Engage students in a discussion about how animals might exhibit feelings. If students have pets, encourage them to share their observations about the emotions their pets display. Alternatively, display photos of various animals and have students do a gallery walk, considering how each animal might express emotions. Allow students to gather around the picture of their own pets, if applicable, and discuss with their peers.
- Encourage students to think beyond common pets like cats and dogs. Prompt them to consider if fish or reptiles might have feelings as well. For students who don’t have experience with pets, you can show YouTube clips of cats and dogs exhibiting various behaviors and emotions.
- Discuss how babies also experience emotions, but they can’t communicate their feelings verbally. Explain that parents often have to decipher their babies’ emotions based on non-verbal cues. Prompt students to share what clues they think parents look for to determine a baby’s emotions, such as smiling or laughing for happiness or crying for distress.
Reflection and Conclusion:
Facilitate a class discussion about the importance of recognizing and understanding feelings in others. Highlight how empathy plays a vital role in connecting with others and building relationships. Encourage students to consider how empathy can help them support friends, family, and even animals.
Activity 2: Expressing Empathy and Sharing Emotions
Learning Objectives:
- Students will understand the importance of recognizing and describing emotions in others.
- Students will build empathy through discussing their own emotions and experiences.
- Students will reflect on the impact of sharing emotions with others.
We have to learn to recognize what feelings look like on the ‘outside’ and assign a word to describe them.
What do you notice about this video?
Expressing Empathy
Explain to students that it is essential to learn how to recognize emotions in others based on their outward expressions and assign words to describe those feelings. Emphasize that when we communicate with others, we don’t just share facts or information, but also our experiences, including our emotions. By sharing our emotions about specific events, we help others understand who we are, what we care about, and how we navigate the world.
Introduce the concept of empathy, explaining that empathy means being able to relate to and understand how another person is feeling.
Distribute an emotions card deck or select specific emotion cards for students to use in the activity. Instruct students to pick a card and share a personal experience when they have felt that particular emotion. Encourage them to describe the event and the associated feelings.
Facilitate a class discussion, allowing students to share their experiences and emotions. Prompt them to reflect on the following questions:
- How did it feel to share your emotions with the group?
- Was it easy or difficult to express your emotions?
- Did sharing positive emotions make you feel even better or bring about a sense of calm?
Conclusion:
Summarize the activity by reinforcing the importance of empathy and sharing emotions. Discuss how discussing our emotions helps build empathy in ourselves and others. Encourage students to consider the impact of understanding and relating to others’ feelings in building stronger connections and fostering positive relationships.
Note: Adjust the level of discussion and emotional complexity according to the age and developmental stage of the students. Encourage a supportive and respectful environment for students to share their experiences and emotions.
Wrap up the lesson by reminding students that feelings are a normal part of being human and that developing empathy and understanding can strengthen their relationships with others.
Note: Adapt the activity and examples according to the age group and prior knowledge of the students.