Emotion Freeze Dance
Here's What To Do
Invite your child to have an “emotion” dance party – as you listen and dance, pause the music and shout out an emotion. Everyone who is participating makes a face showing that emotion.
While you’re dancing, take turns calling out an emotion, and having everyone act it out. Acknowledge everyone’s efforts as you go.
As a variation, let everyone choose an emotion to act out whenever the music stops, and have other’s guess what emotion they chose.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Find an open space. Invite your child to stretch up high and reach down low.
Engage:
- “What different emotions can we act out when we freeze?”
- “Who gets to go first? How should we decide?”
Encourage:
- “You made such a great silly face! I love how you tried!”
- “Oops, we almost forgot to freeze! That’s okay, let’s try again!”
Reflect:
- “What was your favorite part of this game?”
Not quite ready?
Just focus on dancing and freezing first. Model emotions yourself and name them as you act them out.
Ready for more?
Let your child pick the emotions and call them out during the game. Add more complex feelings like “proud” or “frustrated.”
As your child masters this skill...
Begin to express and talk about their emotions in different situations, like during play, at mealtime, or with friends.