Emotional Development

The purpose of this lesson is to further emotional development

through the discussion of nonverbal communication. I think the

clearest understanding of nonverbal communication comes from

facial expressions. Children can decode facial expression;

meaning, if you make a face and ask your child if the person is

mad, happy, or sad, he or she can figure out the answer.

According to psychologists, facial responses are universal.

Children in Uganda make the same facial expressions when

angry, sad, or happy as children in the states.

If you would like to make this project, all you need are a few

sheets of paper, a ruler, pencil, black marker, scissors, and

stapler. I divided up each page in thirds vertically using my ruler

and pencil. Then I drew a facial expression on each page. Then

outlined in marker, provided a cover page and back page, and

finally stapled all of the pages together. Once the book is bound

I cut on each of the lines to allow the child to mix and match the

facial features. For the cover page I drew six circles (the number

of circles is not relevant) to allow her to make her own faces.

If you want to skip the art project I have provided you with my

face sheets – download, staple, cut.