---
title: "Hidden and Masked Feelings"
description: "Recognise that people sometimes hide or mask their true feelings — smiling when they're actually sad, or saying 'I'm fine' when they're not — and understand why someone might do this"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/hidden-and-masked-feelings-mt_E5ju6kQSu3
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/hidden-and-masked-feelings-mt_E5ju6kQSu3.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Hidden and Masked Feelings

Recognise that people sometimes hide or mask their true feelings — smiling when they're actually sad, or saying 'I'm fine' when they're not — and understand why someone might do this

Subject: Personal & Social Development · Area: Emotional Literacy · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/hidden-and-masked-feelings-mt_E5ju6kQSu3

## Ready when they can

- Give an example of a time someone might hide their feelings and explain why
- Identify mismatches between someone's words and their body language
- Explain that hiding feelings is common but that it's usually better to share with someone trusted

## Lesson: When Feelings Hide Behind a Smile

Have you ever smiled even though you felt sad inside? Sometimes people show one feeling on the outside while feeling something different on the inside. This is called hiding or masking a feeling.

People hide feelings for different reasons. They might not want others to worry, feel embarrassed about crying, or think the feeling will just go away on its own. Hiding a feeling does not make it disappear.

**Example.** Zara falls off her bike in front of her friends. She jumps up and says, 'I'm okay!' with a big grin. But her hands are shaking and her eyes look wet. Her words say one thing. Her body says another.

*(drawing: Zara's smile looks small and calm, but the scared feeling inside is much bigger. When the outside and the inside do not match, someone may be hiding a feeling.)*

**Tip.** Watch for clues that do not match, like a smile with watery eyes, or a cheerful voice that sounds rushed. If you notice a mismatch, you might gently ask, 'Are you really okay?' And if you are the one hiding a feeling, it usually helps to tell someone you trust.

**Recap.** A smile can hide a feeling, so watch for words and body language that don't match, and share your own feelings with someone you trust.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Expressing Feelings with Words](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/expressing-feelings-with-words-mt_kvrvpQris4)
- [Naming basic emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/naming-basic-emotions-mt_LhkP_KKIRS)
- [Mild to Strong Emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/mild-to-strong-emotions-mt_rymBfJmvFl)

## Opens up

- [Culture and Experience Shape Emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/culture-and-experience-shape-emotions-mt_nIl1kKZHsk)