How to express yourself

Topic
- Identity & emotions
Learning skills
- Self-awareness
- Social adjustment
- Critical & reflective thinking
- Communication & expression
Activity type
- Group discussion
Materials
- Basic
- Self-made
Age
- 6 - 11 years
- 12 - 14 years
5 - 15 minutes
2 - 4 players
Intermediate
Calm
Small (office, pavement)

Contributors

Mobile School

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Everything you need to play this game

Funky crown (large, wearable by children)
Emotion poster
18 cards to stick on the crown (all emotions, levels, and expressions)
Wheel for emotions (printed or drawn)
Emotion meter (printed or drawn)
Coping strategy panel with QR codes (printed or laminated)
Adhesive or Velcro to attach cards to crown and panel
Optional decorations for crown and panels to make them colorful/funky

Make it yourself

Step 1

Prepare the crown

Make a large, sturdy crown that can fit over a child’s head.
Ensure cards can attach securely (Velcro or sticky tape).

Step 2

Create panels

Emotion wheel: divide into sections for 6 emotions.
Emotion meter: display percentages 0–100%.
Coping panel: 7 strategies with QR codes linking to songs.

Step 3

Prepare cards

6 emotion cards, 5 level cards, 7 coping cards.
Ensure they can attach to crown easily.

Good job!

A step-by-step guide to play the game

Facilitator chooses a child (e.g., a shy child) to wear the crown first.

Ask: “How do you feel today?”

Child selects the emotion from the wheel.
Facilitator sticks the corresponding emotion card on the crown.

Ask: “How strong do you feel this emotion?”

Child chooses a level (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%).
Facilitator sticks the corresponding level card on the crown.

Ask: “What helps you cope with this emotion?”

Child selects a coping strategy (shout, jump, sing, blow, dance, hug, kiss).
Facilitator sticks the corresponding coping card on the crown.

Child now wears the crown with 3 cards: emotion, level, expression.

Other children observe and mimic the action or emotion, guided by facilitator.

Scan the QR code to play music corresponding to the coping strategy.

After completing, pass the crown to the next child and repeat steps 2–7.

Extra game information

The teacher can adjust emotions, levels, and coping strategies for cultural or local relevance.
Fun decorations on crown and panels increase engagement.
Can be played indoors or outdoors.

This game concept was developed by a team of Tomorrowland during a StreetwiZe leadership expedition in Kolkata, India.

Specific learning objectives

Emotional Literacy: Recognize, name, and understand emotions.

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