Activity

Enchanted Emotions Collage Journey

Embracing Emotions: A Collage of Feelings and Stories

The "Feelings Collage" activity is designed for children aged 24 to 36 months to explore emotions and boost empathy, cognitive abilities, and creativity. With magazines, scissors, glue, and paper, children can create a collage depicting various feelings. Through discussing emotions, selecting images, and crafting the collage, kids will develop language skills and learn to express and recognize different emotions effectively. This engaging activity promotes a safe environment for learning and encourages children to share their feelings and experiences while enhancing their developmental skills.

Children’s Age: 2–3 years

Activity Duration: 5 minutes

Developmental Areas:

Educational Areas:

Instructions

For the "Feelings Collage" activity, aimed at children aged 24 to 36 months, you'll need magazines or printed images of various emotions, colored paper or cardboard, child-safe scissors, glue sticks, and markers or crayons.

Begin by cutting out images of emotions and preparing the collage base.
Arrange all materials on a flat surface within easy reach of the children.
Initiate the activity by discussing emotions with the children, pointing out feelings in the images, and explaining the concept of a collage.
Allow the children to choose images, cut them out (with supervision), and glue them onto the colored paper.
Encourage the children to name the emotions they see and share any personal experiences they have had related to those feelings.

During the activity, closely supervise the children, especially when they are using scissors. Ensure there are no small choking hazards present and remind them to handle the scissors carefully. As they engage in this activity, children will enhance their empathy, cognitive skills, creativity, and language development in an enjoyable and comprehensive manner.

To conclude the activity:

Have the children proudly display their completed feelings collages.
Take a moment to admire and discuss each child's collage, asking them to explain the emotions they chose and why.
Celebrate their creativity and emotional awareness by praising their efforts and the stories behind their choices.
Consider displaying the collages in a dedicated area to revisit and reinforce emotional recognition and expression.

Encourage the children to reflect on the activity by asking open-ended questions like, "Which emotion was the easiest to find images for?" or "Can you tell me about a time when you felt like the emotion you included in your collage?" This will help solidify their understanding of emotions and foster further discussion.

Safety Tips

Safety Tips:

Physical Risks:
- Ensure all materials, especially scissors, are child-safe and appropriate for the age group to prevent accidents.
- Supervise children closely during the activity, particularly when using scissors, to avoid any injuries.
- Check the collage base and materials for any small parts that could pose a choking hazard and remove them from the activity area.
Emotional Risks:
- Be mindful of the emotions being discussed and portrayed during the activity, as some children may find certain feelings challenging or triggering.
- Create a safe and supportive environment where children feel comfortable expressing their emotions without judgment.
- Encourage positive reinforcement and empathy towards others' feelings throughout the activity to foster a sense of understanding and compassion.
Environmental Risks:
- Ensure the activity area is well-lit, organized, and free of any obstacles to prevent trips or falls.
- Keep all art supplies, such as markers and glue sticks, capped and stored away when not in use to avoid accidental ingestion or spills.
- Have a first aid kit readily available in case of any minor cuts or injuries during the activity.

Warnings

Warnings and precautions for the "Feelings Collage" activity:

Supervise children closely when using scissors to prevent accidents or injuries.
Avoid small choking hazards by ensuring all materials are safe and appropriate for the age group.
Be mindful of emotional reactions as discussing feelings may trigger unexpected responses or overstimulation.
Watch for any signs of frustration or anxiety during the activity and provide support as needed.
Consider individual sensitivities to certain emotions or images that may cause distress.
Ensure the collage base and workspace are free of any sharp objects or potential tripping hazards.
Monitor the use of markers or crayons to prevent accidental ingestion or drawing on unintended surfaces.

First Aid Tips

Keep a close eye on children when using child-safe scissors to prevent cuts or accidental poking. In case of a minor cut, wash the wound with soap and water, apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding, and cover with a bandage.
Watch out for potential choking hazards such as small magazine cutouts or crayon caps. Keep small objects out of reach and provide supervision to prevent choking incidents. If choking occurs, perform age-appropriate choking first aid maneuvers.
Ensure the glue sticks are non-toxic and child-safe to avoid skin irritation or accidental ingestion. If glue gets into a child's eyes, rinse with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical advice if irritation persists.
Be mindful of any children with known allergies to materials used in the activity such as certain types of paper or glue. Have allergy medication on hand if needed and be prepared to contact emergency services in case of a severe allergic reaction.
Monitor the children for signs of frustration or emotional distress during the activity. Provide a calming environment, offer support, and redirect their focus if needed to prevent emotional meltdowns or outbursts.
Ensure the workspace is well-ventilated to prevent children from feeling lightheaded or nauseous from prolonged exposure to glue fumes. If a child shows signs of dizziness or nausea, move them to a well-ventilated area and provide fresh air.

Goals

Engaging in the "Feelings Collage" activity offers children aged 24 to 36 months a chance to grow and learn in various ways:

Cognitive Development:
- Recognizing and identifying different emotions
- Sorting and categorizing images based on feelings
- Engaging in discussions about emotions
Emotional Development:
- Developing empathy by understanding and representing emotions
- Expressing and discussing personal feelings
- Building emotional vocabulary
Creative Skills:
- Creating a unique collage based on personal choices
- Enhancing artistic expression through visual representation of emotions
Social Interaction:
- Sharing personal experiences with peers
- Collaborating in a group setting
Language Development:
- Naming and discussing emotions verbally
- Expanding vocabulary related to feelings

Materials

Materials needed for this activity

This activity requires the following materials:

Magazines or printed images of different facial expressions
Colored paper or cardboard
Child-safe scissors
Glue sticks
Markers or crayons
Flat surface for arranging materials
Supervision for safety
Optional: Stickers with emotions
Optional: Emotion flashcards
Optional: Additional art supplies for decoration

Variations

For younger children aged 24 to 36 months, you can simplify the activity by focusing on basic emotions such as happy, sad, and angry. Use larger images with clear facial expressions to make it easier for them to identify and choose.

Texture Collage: Instead of using images of emotions, provide textured materials like cotton balls for happy, rough sandpaper for angry, and smooth fabric for calm. Children can feel the textures and glue them onto the paper to represent different feelings.
Group Collaboration: Create a large collage base on a wall or floor and invite children to work together to place the emotions images. Encourage them to discuss and decide where each emotion should go, promoting teamwork and social skills.
Emotion Charades: After completing the collage, play a game of emotion charades where children mimic the facial expressions they see on the collage. Others guess the emotion being portrayed, enhancing their emotional recognition and expression abilities.
Music and Emotions: Play various types of music and ask children to pick an emotion image that matches how the music makes them feel. They can create a collage based on the emotions evoked by different music genres, linking auditory stimuli to emotional responses.

Benefits

This activity is designed to support your child's development across the following key areas of learning and growth. Learn more about each area and how it contributes to your child’s overall development below:

Art and Creativity

Art and creativity involve self-expression through various forms of visual, musical, and performing arts. This field includes painting, sculpture, dance, theater, and music, helping children develop imagination, fine motor skills, and emotional intelligence. Engaging in artistic activities fosters innovation, self-confidence, and the ability to communicate ideas in unique ways.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development refers to the growth of thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. It includes memory, attention, logical reasoning, and the ability to learn new concepts. Strong cognitive skills are essential for academic success and lifelong learning.

Reading and Storytelling

Reading and storytelling promote language development, imagination, and comprehension skills. This field includes exposure to books, listening to stories, and creative narration. Storytelling strengthens emotional intelligence, cultural understanding, and a lifelong love for literature.

Empathy Development

Empathy development focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of others. It includes recognizing emotions, practicing active listening, and responding with kindness and compassion. Strong empathy skills foster better relationships, social harmony, and emotional intelligence.

Sports and Physical Activities

Sports and physical activities are essential for children's health and development. Engaging in physical exercise helps improve motor skills, coordination, and strength. It includes activities like running, jumping, team sports, and balance exercises. Participation in sports teaches discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

Parent Tips

1. Prepare materials thoughtfully:

Ensure you have a variety of images displaying different emotions for children to choose from.
Cut out the images in advance to save time and keep the activity flowing smoothly.
Organize the materials neatly on a flat surface to make it easy for children to access them.

2. Facilitate discussions effectively:

Encourage children to talk about the emotions they see in the images and share their own experiences.
Ask open-ended questions to spark conversation and deepen their understanding of feelings.
Be patient and attentive as children express themselves through words and actions.

3. Provide guidance and support:

Supervise children closely, especially when they are using scissors to avoid accidents.
Offer assistance with cutting if needed, but allow children to explore their own cutting skills.
Help children with gluing if they find it challenging, promoting independence with gentle support.

4. Encourage creativity and expression:

Praise children for their efforts and creativity, focusing on the process rather than the end result.
Allow freedom for children to arrange and glue the images as they wish, respecting their choices.
Celebrate diversity in emotions and interpretations, fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere.

5. Extend the learning experience:

Display the completed collages in a prominent place to revisit and discuss emotions later on.
Continue conversations about feelings in everyday interactions, referring back to the activity.
Explore books or songs about emotions to further enrich children's understanding and vocabulary.