The “I Can See My Feelings” Picture Book by Dr Kaylene Henderson is a delightful resource for young children to learn about identifying and expressing emotions. The book encourages children to explore their feelings through facial expressions, helping them recognise emotions in themselves and others.
The book starts with simple, child-friendly text: “I have lots of feelings. To me they seem quite new. They show upon my face, and I see them on yours too.” This accessible language invites children to explore emotions in a playful, relatable way. Each page features a different emotion, such as Calm, Surprised, Angry, Happy, Scared, Sad, and Excited, paired with expressive illustrations.
Key Features:
Interactive Learning with a Mirror: Dr Henderson suggests using the book with a mirror, encouraging children to mimic the expressions they see on each page. This interactive approach enhances understanding and engagement as children observe how emotions look on their own faces.
Building Empathy and Communication: By identifying emotions in themselves and others, children not only learn vocabulary for expressing feelings but also begin to develop empathy and compassion.
Tips for Parents and Educators: The book includes helpful advice for adults on discussing emotions with children, recognising physical expressions of feelings, and prompting children to share personal experiences with each emotion.
Positive Approach to Emotions: The book reinforces that emotions are a normal part of daily life, helping children feel comfortable experiencing and talking about a range of feelings.
The “I Can See My Feelings” Picture Book is ideal for parents, teachers, and counsellors who want to foster emotional literacy in young children. Its hands-on, visual approach makes learning about emotions both educational and fun.
