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Recognising our emotions

Big and small emotions 

Our emotions can be big or small.

When we can recognise our emotions it makes it easier to let other people know how we are feeling.

Billy’s year

Like all young people, Billy had some big emotions and small emotions this year. Click on the months below to find out more.

January

A trip to the dentist

Billy gets nervous before going to the dentist and it can make him feel quite scared.

Although the feeling is strong before he gets to the dentist, it goes away quickly afterwards. It is a small emotion as it doesn’t last long.

April

Losing a match

Billy loves football and hates losing! His team lost a match to a rival team and Billy is sad for a while. 

It is a small emotion as it doesn’t last long and doesn’t stop him playing the next match.

July

Billy’s pet dog is poorly

The family dog was old and poorly and the vet has to put him down. 

Billy is sad for a long time about his dog and it stops him enjoying some things. It is a big emotion.

October

A change of school

Billy’s dad changes job and they have to move and Billy had to start a new school.

Billy misses his friends. This is a big emotion as it will take time for him to make new friends.

Billy’s dad changes job and they have to move and Billy had to start a new school.

Billy misses his friends. This is a big emotion as it will take time for him to make new friends.

Below is a pretend feelings thermometer. Underneath it are some pictures that show what the feelings on it are like.

Anger

  • Aggressive.
  • Out of control.
  • Needs help.
  • Panicked.

Upset

  • Sad.
  • Worried.
  • Anxious.
  • Fearful.

Annoyed

  • Unhappy.
  • Has problems.
  • Uncertain.
  • Irritated.

Calm

  • Happy.
  • Proud.
  • Relaxed.

When your emotion is at the bottom of the thermometer you feel the emotion only a little bit.  At the very top, you feel the emotion a lot! In the middle, you feel it more than just a little bit, but not that much.