Tips for Working with a Child Who Is Less Aware of Feelings

Friends, Family and Home

• When arguments occur with siblings or friends, ask him how he thinks the other child feels.
• Discuss feelings her friends might have when they are upset with her, and role play how she could talk to them.
• Talk about and name feelings with the whole family.
• Encourage him to think about his friends' feelings and their wishes when he makes plans.

Learning, Childcare and School

• Ask teachers to name her feelings when she is upset.
• Choose programs and schools that emphasize caring about others.
• Provide books and activities about how to express feelings appropriately.
• Explain to teachers that sometimes the emotion a child shows may not be his true feeling.

Activities and Television

• Play a game, and have her guess feelings based on your expressions.
• When watching TV, ask him how the characters on TV might be feeling in a situation.
• Involve her in service to others, such as taking cookies to someone or making a get-well card.
• Play board games with him that involve expressing feelings and ideas.

Guidance and Discipline

• Name the feeling she is expressing. For instance, "You seem angry at Johnny" or "I can tell you are very happy right now."
• After a bad experience with someone occurs, talk about how both he and the other person must feel.
• Talk about positive feelings and identify them for her when she or others are happy.
• Recognize that he may act in anger when he is really sad or hurting.