Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Emotional and Social Development (ESD)

Subdomain: Learning About Feelings

Goal: Children identify, manage, and express their feelings.

Skill Progression: Emotional expression

Age: 36-42 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 36-42 Months.

Observe the child during the activities of the classroom, particularly during unstructured play time.

No elicitation needed. The child to demonstrates a range of more subtle emotions through her actions: (verbal or nonverbal expressions of awareness of wrong-doing); envy (commenting on how the child wishes she had a specific thing or could do a specific action); pity (touching a hurt child gently or commenting with sadness in voice); shame (hanging head and looking sad); modesty (pulling legs together, hanging head, covering a part of the body).

The child to demonstrates a range of more subtle emotions through her actions: (verbal or nonverbal expressions of awareness of wrong-doing); envy (commenting on how the child wishes she had a specific thing or could do a specific action); pity (touching a hurt child gently or commenting with sadness in voice); shame (hanging head and looking sad); modesty (pulling legs together, hanging head, covering a part of the body).

Early childhood educators and parents should be aware of the child’s growing awareness of her own range and mix of emotions. Talk about different emotions and that it is normal to feel many different things. Discuss why the child might feel different emotions and how others can react to them.