The Feelings Box

Face cards come out of a mystery box, and the whole group moves with the feeling that appears until the next one comes out. It builds recognizing feelings on a face and turning them into movement.

How to play

1. In a circle, the teacher shakes the box: “Feelings live in here. Who will come out today?” (2 min).
2. Pull out the first card, everyone looks and makes the same face, then we name it (2 min).
3. The music plays and everyone moves around the room with that feeling until the music stops (2 min).
4. A different child pulls each card and the group switches feelings: happy, sad, angry, scared, calm, surprised (3 min).
5. Quick round: the teacher silently shows a card and everyone strikes the pose in place (2 min).
6. Put the feelings back in the box one by one, saying goodbye with the matching face (1 min).

Rules

• Only the child holding the box pulls a card.
• I look at the face carefully before I move.
• When the music stops, I hold my pose.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: describe the face aloud and let the child feel the teacher's pose.
• Autism: use cards with real photos of children and introduce them all before starting.
• Limited mobility: express the feeling with face, arms and upper body from the wheelchair.

Learning goals

• Identify basic feelings on faces.
• Express each feeling with the whole body.
• Wait for a turn to pull from the box.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cardboard box: 1
• Feeling face cards: 6
• Music

Teacher tip

Make big, letter-size cards with very clear faces drawn by you or the children. Decorating the box with them the day before makes them extra eager to open it.

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