Sammy went from being “Playful like Peas” to “Irritated like Ice-Cream” as we played Putt-Putt Miniature Golf. We were visiting family in Rocky Hill, Connecticut during the summer. All the fun from the active game was beginning to wear Sammy out. And just as he attempted to run down a steep hill, he heard, “No.” My husband Randy knew Sammy could have gotten hurt.
Frustrated Like French Fries
Many 3-year-olds have difficulty expressing their wants and needs. As a result of not being able to manage their emotions, they will sometimes fall out on the ground and cry. The image of Sammy frowning and crying with his arms crossed, captured his interests and needs not being met. Not only was he “Irritated like Ice-Cream,” he was also “Frustrated like French Fries!”
Creating Rituals
I love children’s books! “Shy Spaghetti and Excited Eggs” was written by Marc Nemiroff and Jane Annunziata, and illustrated by Christine Battuz. It was the catalyst for creating our daily ritual at home. The book helps children to identify emotions and feelings and connects it with different foods. The images are colorful, playful, and descriptive with actions and facial expressions that children and parents/caregivers can relate to. I highly recommend this book for every child, classroom, library, educator, and parent/caregiver!
Our family was so tickled by the images and words in this awesome book. And as an educator who now homeschools our son, I loved the lessons given. As a result, my husband Randy, our five-year-old son Sammy, and I now acknowledge feelings and emotions all throughout the day. It has become a beautiful ritual that we honor and take seriously. We feel it is important to recognize such emotions as they arise. This is modeled for Sammy by asking him how he feels. His response may be “I’m Cheerful like Cheerios!” Other times he may declare, “I’m Cranky like Cheeseburgers!” We have even had fun creating our own expressions to use that fit Sammy’s everchanging moods which again, we honor.
Social-Emotional Learning
Once a feeling is identified and expressed, we use it as a teachable moment. We talk about what has happened to bring about a certain feeling. By doing this we are honoring emotions and the importance of talking through the process. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is vital for children, youth, and adults. The ability to recognize one’s own feelings and reactions is key. It assists us with daily challenges in personal and professional settings. Simply put, it gives us coping skills that add to leading successful lives.
Telling Children That Their Feelings and Emotions Matter
It is never too early to start modeling this for children. Add to this the excitement of connecting emotions with food! Small children learn about various foods daily. Implementing this practice reinforces teaching and acceptance of emotions in a creative way with food. And it does so in nurturing and loving ways. Moreover, it brings families closer together and confirms to children that what they are experiencing matters.
“Mommy, I’m Cheerful like Cheerios!"
So throughout our days, we publicly acknowledge our feelings and emotions and take the time to talk through them with Sammy. It is also beautiful when Sammy recognizes emotions in mommy and daddy. We stop what we are doing and have a conversation. Much thanks again to the authors and illustrator of “Shy Spaghetti and Excited Eggs” for their phenomenal book that also has great suggestions for parents!
Below are some of the feelings and emotions connected to foods that our family has come up. They have become part of our love language to one another. We had fun creating them!
“Playful like Peas”
“Bored like Bananas”
“Frustrated like French Fries”
“Cheerful like Cheerios”
“Irritated like Ice-Cream”
“Cranky like Cheeseburgers”
“Exhausted like Eggplant”
“Grumpy like Green Beans”
Sammy’s Cheerful like Cheerios!
Sammy’s Playful like Peas!
Sammy’s Grumpy like Green Beans!
WatchMonkeyMama's
Personal Book Recommendations
for Teaching Children About Feelings and Emotions
Book Credits
- Shy Spaghetti and Excited Eggs by Marc Nemiroff and Jane Annunziata and illustrated by Christine Battiz
- In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek and illustrated by Christine Roussey
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- Kindness Makes The World Go Round produced by Sesame Street
- Fill a Bucket: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Young Children by Carol McCloud and Katherine Martin, and illustrated by David Messing
- Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud, and illustrated by David Messing
- Bucket Filling from A to Z: The Key to Being Happy by Carol McCloud and Caryn Butzke, and illustrated by Glenn Zimmer
- Hug by Jez Alborough
- What Are You So Grumpy About? by Tom Lichtenheld
- One Love based on the song by Bob Marley, adapted by Cedella Marley, and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
- Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson
- The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book by Mike Berenstain
- Mother Goose “Bruce” by Ryan T. Higgins
I, too, am HAPPY AS A HOT DOG after having read this entry of your blog!!!! I will share this with the parents I know. Thoroughly informative and beautifully written! I’m waiting for more!
Awe thanks Tanya! Aren’t these expressions the best? I just love this children’s book and I appreciate your sharing it with other parents! I also love your compliments on my writing!
Lesley,
Your blog is: Superb like Sammy! Great pictures!
Thanks so much Gloria! I’m so glad you enjoy reading WatchMonkeyMama and viewing the images! It’s so much fun as you yourself know as a blogger!
WONDERFUL BOOKS, CHILDREN HAVE SO MANY EMOTIONS – THANK YOU
Thank you Pearl! They sure do and it’s so important as you well know to help them identify and work through them. Thanks for reading my blog and commenting.