1.
Sing songs such as ;If You’re Happy and You Know It; and play Simon Says… to introduce the concept of how facial and body expressions convey meaning. Focus on changes in mouths, eyes, eye brows.
2.
With a small group of children in front of a wall mirror (or unbreakable, small mirrors), suggest that they make faces with these or other expressions: you mean yes you mean no you are very tired you are excited you are angry you are happy
3.
When children can read each other’s expressions, they are ready to play this simplified version of Charades. In a group discussion, make a chart of children’s suggestions for feelings. Try out each one.
4.
With your group, make a list of feelings you can show with your face.
5.
To make game cards: Write one word or idea on an index card with Crayola® Washable Markers. Draw a picture to illustrate the feeling, too. Use Crayola® Multicultural Markers for skin tones. How do colors and shapes add to your idea?
6.
To play What Does My Face Say?: With friends, mix up your cards. Choose a leader to pick the first card. The leader makes a face according to the directions on the card. Who can figure out what feeling it is? That person picks the next card.