Words for Big Feelings

Personal & Social Development · Self-Regulation & Resilience · ages 5-8

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Which of these is a strategy to help you calm down?
- Yelling as loud as you can
- Taking deep breaths
- Throwing your toys
Which word means feeling like everything is too much right now?
- Overwhelmed
- Happy
- Sleepy
The word 'calm' means feeling settled and peaceful.
Circle one: True False
Zoe feels a big feeling building up in class. Which strategy could help her settle down?
- Counting slowly to ten
- Throwing her pencil
- Yelling at her friend
Leo's hands shake and his heart races before his test. Which word fits how Leo feels?
- Bored
- Proud
- Anxious
Sam's team lost, and Sam feels quiet and heavy inside. Is Sam angry or disappointed?
- Angry
- Disappointed
- Excited
If you feel disappointed, yelling is the best way to feel better.
Circle one: True False
Ravi says, 'I feel overwhelmed,' while calmly reading and smiling. Does 'overwhelmed' fit what he is doing?
- Yes, overwhelmed means reading calmly
- Yes, overwhelmed always means happy
- No, overwhelmed means too much is happening at once

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Taking deep breaths · Deep breaths slow your body down and help you settle.
Overwhelmed · Overwhelmed means so much is happening it feels too big.
True · Calm is the settled feeling you reach after a big feeling passes.
Counting slowly to ten · Counting slowly gives her mind something calm to focus on.
Anxious · A racing heart and shaky hands before something big often means anxious.
Disappointed · Disappointed feels quiet and heavy, not hot and loud like angry.
False · Yelling does not help disappointment. Naming the feeling helps more.
No, overwhelmed means too much is happening at once · Overwhelmed means too much at once, not calm, quiet reading.