Emotional Literacy

Puppets can offer children a playful and indirect way to talk about feelings. Sometimes it is easier to discuss how a puppet might be feeling, what has happened to them or what they could do next than to immediately talk about ourselves.

The activities below provide simple ways to introduce emotions, encourage empathy and help children develop the language they need to recognise and express how they feel. They are designed for everyday educational and early-years settings and can be adapted to suit the children in your group.

1. How Is the Puppet Feeling?

Suitable for: Ages 3+

You’ll need: One puppet

How it works

Introduce the puppet with a simple situation.

For example:

“Aoife was really looking forward to playing outside, but now it has started raining.”

Ask the children:

  • How might Aoife be feeling?
  • Why might Aoife feel that way?
  • Could Aoife have more than one feeling?
  • What might help?

There does not need to be one correct answer.

Supports: emotional vocabulary, empathy and perspective-taking.

2. Feelings Check-In

Suitable for: Ages 3+

You’ll need: One puppet and optional feelings cards

How it works

The puppet begins by sharing its own feeling:

“I feel excited today because I'm going somewhere new.”

Children can then choose whether they would like to tell the puppet how they are feeling, point to a feelings card or simply listen to others.

The aim is not to make every child talk, but to make emotional language a normal part of everyday conversation.

Supports: recognising emotions, self-expression and listening.

3. What Could the Puppet Do?

Suitable for: Preschool and primary

You’ll need: One puppet

How it works

Give the puppet a small everyday problem.

For example:

  • Nobody is playing the game the puppet wanted.
  • The puppet has lost something.
  • Someone said something that upset the puppet.
  • The puppet is nervous about trying something new.

Ask the children what the puppet might do next.

Encourage several different suggestions rather than looking for one perfect solution.

Supports: problem-solving, empathy, emotional vocabulary and social understanding.

4. The Puppet Makes a Mistake

Suitable for: Ages 4+

You’ll need: One puppet

How it works

Let the puppet make a small mistake and react to it.

Perhaps the puppet knocks over some blocks, gets an answer wrong or forgets part of a song.

The puppet might say:

“Oh no! I'm terrible at this. I'm never trying again.”

Ask the children what they might say to the puppet and what the puppet could try next.

Supports: resilience, self-compassion, problem-solving and supportive communication.

5. Guess the Feeling

Suitable for: Ages 3+

You’ll need: One expressive puppet

How it works

Use the puppet's movement, voice and body language to show an emotion without naming it.

Ask the children what they think the puppet might be feeling and what clues helped them decide.

You can explore emotions such as:

  • Happy
  • Excited
  • Worried
  • Cross
  • Sad
  • Surprised

Supports: recognising emotions, non-verbal communication and emotional vocabulary.

6. Two Puppets, One Problem

Suitable for: Ages 4+

You’ll need: Two puppets

How it works

Create a simple disagreement between two puppets.

Perhaps both want the same toy, one interrupts the other or one does not want to share.

Pause the scene and ask the children:

  • How might each puppet be feeling?
  • What could they say to one another?
  • Can we think of more than one solution?

Supports: empathy, conflict resolution, listening and social communication.

A Gentle Approach

Puppet activities can open interesting conversations, but children should never feel pressured to disclose personal experiences or feelings. Sometimes simply talking about the puppet and imagining what the character might think or feel is valuable in itself.

More Emotional Literacy Ideas Coming Soon

This page will continue to grow as I gather more practical ideas from teachers, therapists, early-years professionals and others who use puppets to explore feelings, relationships and communication.

If you have a puppet activity that has worked particularly well in your setting, I’d love to hear from you.