Teacher & Parent Guide

Dinosaur Feelings Emotional Wellness Program (Ages 3–6)

Thank you for sharing The Dinosaur Feelings Adventure Guide with the children in your care.

This guide is designed to support you after reading the story. It offers simple conversation prompts and gentle ideas to help children recognize emotions, express feelings, and feel understood.

There is no right or wrong way to use this guide.

No training is required.

No preparation is needed.

Use what feels helpful, skip what doesn’t, and return to it whenever it feels right.

Why Emotional Language Matters

Young children experience big emotions before they have the words to explain them. When feelings feel overwhelming, children may express this through behavior rather than language.

Giving children simple words for emotions can help them:

Feel seen and understood
Communicate needs more clearly
Begin calming their bodies and minds
Build trust and connection with adults

You don’t need to fix emotions or make them go away. Often, simply naming a feeling and staying present is enough.

Conversation Prompts for Read-Aloud Time

You can use these prompts during or after reading the story. There is no need to ask all of them.

How do you think the character is feeling right now?
What makes you think that?
Have you ever felt that way?
What does that feeling feel like in your body?
What helps when you feel like that?
Who can you talk to when feelings feel big?
What would you want someone to say to you if you felt this way?

It’s okay if children don’t answer right away. Listening is part of learning.

Supporting Big Feelings in the Moment

Big emotions can show up during play, transitions, or quiet moments. When this happens, your calm presence matters most.

You might try saying:

I see you’re feeling upset.
That looks really hard.
It’s okay to feel this way.
I’m here with you.

You can also:

Take a slow breath together
Sit nearby without speaking
Offer a quiet space if needed

There’s no need to rush children through their feelings. Reassurance and consistency help emotions pass naturally.

Simple Reinforcement Ideas (Optional)

These ideas are optional and designed to be low-pressure. Choose what fits your setting.

Feeling Check-In

Invite children to name how they’re feeling at the start or end of the day.

Drawing Feelings

Offer paper and crayons and invite children to draw a feeling they recognize.

Emotion Cards

Use emotion cards to help children point to or name how they feel.

Calm-Down Choices

Ask, “What might help right now?” and offer simple options like breathing, quiet time, or asking for help.

There is no need to complete activities in order or track progress.

Using the Program Across Different Settings

In Classrooms

Use the story during circle time, transitions, or small group discussions.

At Home

Read together and talk about feelings during everyday moments.

Calm-Down Spaces

Keep the book or emotion cards nearby for quiet reflection.

One-on-One Support

Use the story and prompts during individual conversations.

The program is designed to fit naturally into what you already do.

A Final Note

Children learn about emotions over time, through repetition and connection. You don’t need perfect words or solutions. Being present, listening, and gently naming emotions helps children feel safe and understood.

About the Program

The Dinosaur Feelings Emotional Wellness Program is a ready-to-use, story-based program for children ages 3–6. It is designed for easy use in classrooms, homes, libraries, hospitals, and community settings — with no training required.

Additional program resources are available here:

www.dinofeelingsadventure.com/resources