Thursday, October 18, 2012

The Feelings Thermometer: How to Help Your Child Communicate Their Feelings
    

     Do you wonder what your child is feeling when they are unable to express themselves?  "The Feelings Thermometer" is a simple tool to support your child to express their feelings.
   
    Using The Feelings Thermometer is simple. Our thermometer is based on a 1-10 scale. 10 represents the "hot thoughts" - the highest degree of  feeling. The thermometer can be used for any feeling -  nervousness, anger, sadness, loneliness, embarrassment, and happiness.
    
    When using the thermometer I recommend
1. Exploring the emotion and degree to which they are experiencing their emotion.
2  Validating their feelings.
3. Discuss coping tools and strategies to deal with their emotions.
4. Praise! Praise your child for their efforts in expressing their feelings with you.

     I recently used the Feelings Thermometer with a group of youngsters participating in a support group for children with food allergies. They loved coloring their thermometer and were excited to share their feelings with the group. The thermometer was a fun, non-threatening tool to help the group safely discuss their worries.

     Two photos are attached. Check in soon with our website, www.inspiredfamilies.com for free printables of The Feelings Thermometer. 


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