For parents of young learners
Help your child express feelings in words
When children don't have the words for a feeling, it often comes out as tears, sulking or anger. Learning feeling words, and practising them when everyone is calm, helps children tell you what's wrong. Here are 20 feeling words and 8 ways to practise.
By the Eloqova team · Updated 6 November 2026
Free printable kit for your child's class: speaking worksheets and a speech planner.Get it freeName it to tame it: When you put a feeling into words for your child ("You look frustrated"), it helps them calm down and learn the word too.
20 feeling words for kids
| Feeling word | Your child can say |
|---|---|
| happy | I feel happy because we are going to the park. |
| sad | I feel sad because my friend was absent. |
| angry | I feel angry when my brother takes my toys. |
| scared | I feel scared of the dark. |
| excited | I am excited about my birthday. |
| worried | I am worried about my test. |
| nervous | I feel nervous before my speech. |
| proud | I feel proud that I finished my drawing. |
| lonely | I feel lonely when nobody plays with me. |
| frustrated | I feel frustrated because this puzzle is hard. |
| jealous | I feel jealous when my sister gets a new dress. |
| embarrassed | I felt embarrassed when I fell down. |
| calm | I feel calm when I listen to music. |
| tired | I feel tired after football. |
| confused | I feel confused about this sum. |
| surprised | I was surprised to see Nani at the door. |
| grateful | I feel grateful for my friends. |
| bored | I feel bored when there is nothing to do. |
| hurt | I felt hurt when they laughed at me. |
| brave | I felt brave when I spoke on stage. |
8 ways to practise
- Name your own feelings out loud: "I feel tired today, so I'll rest."
- Name your child's feelings for them when they are upset, calmly.
- Talk about how characters feel when you read stories together.
- Play feelings charades: act out a feeling and guess the word.
- Make a feelings chart and let your child point to how they feel each evening.
- Ask "How did that make you feel?" instead of "Why did you do that?"
- Praise your child when they use words instead of shouting or crying.
- Talk about big feelings later, once everyone is calm, not in the middle of a meltdown.
Sentence starters that help
- I feel ... because ...
- I didn't like it when ...
- I need help with ...
- Can I have a minute to calm down?
- It made me sad when ...
- I am happy that ...
How to practise at home
- Learn 3 new feeling words a week and use them at dinner.
- Use the sentence starters when your child is upset: "Try saying, I feel ... because ..."
- Read a story and stop to ask how a character feels.
- Notice and praise every time your child names a feeling.
Questions parents ask
How do I teach my child to express feelings?
Name feelings yourself, name your child's feelings for them, read stories and talk about characters' feelings, and practise simple sentence starters.
Why does my child get angry instead of talking?
Often they don't have the words for what they feel. Teaching feeling words and practising when calm helps them say it instead of showing it.
What are some feeling words for kids?
Happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, worried, nervous, proud, lonely, frustrated, jealous, embarrassed, calm, tired, confused, surprised, grateful, bored, hurt and brave.
More free guides
- My child is shy
- Build your child's confidence
- Describing words for kids
- Improve your child's communication skills
Want expert help? See our communication skills classes for kids: live 1:1 online classes for UKG to Grade 8.