Ways That Feelings Affect Kids' Moods

This unit introduces mood. Students will learn that their feelings and emotions put them in a mood and that their mood influences their choices. Four essential concepts form an understanding of mood:

1. Mood (along with recharge) is a key influencer of fit choices.
2. Mood is your motivation. Mood can be "I will make a healthy choice," or "I won't make a healthy choice."
3. Self-motivation strategies can help you motivate your mood.
4. Your mood can change throughout the day.

Help kids understand that their feelings and emotions change throughout the day and can impact their motivation. Give the experience in naming different feelings and emotions by downloading the Find the Feeling Matching Game. Show the video Recognizing Feelings and Emotions to help kids understand that being mindful of your mood can help you make healthy choices. For example, when you are feeling bummed out, how often do you go outside and play? When you are feeling super excited, how often do you go outside and play?  Feelings and emotions put you in a mood, and your mood affects your willingness to make healthy choices.

Follow along with the slideshow as you continue the lesson.

To use this with your students click here.

Practice Facial Expressions to Show Feelings

While watching the video of the mime’s presentation of different feelings, ask students to stand up and make faces along with the video. At the end of the video, ask them to make a face to show how they feel right now.

Mood Affects Change

Explain that feelings and emotions put you in a mood and your mood impacts your willingness to make a fit choice. For example, sometimes when you feel:

• Tired...you don’t want to play outside.
• Bored...you don’t want to eat a healthy snack.
• Grumpy...you don't want to do anything but pout.

Check for understanding: Name some of the feelings and emotions you have throughout the day.

Learning to Manage Mood

Students partner with a friend. Ask them to tell one another about a time when they said, “I don’t want to...” or “I won’t…” Have students describe the feeling or emotion that put them in that mood.

Next, ask students to talk about a time when they said, "I want to..." or "I will..." and have then describe the feeling or emotion that put them in that mood.

Consider reading a picture book about growth mindset and asking students to identify the character's feelings and emotions. When students can identify how characters' moods change, they start to recognize their own changing moods. You may extend your discussion by talking about how growth mindset can help students manage and motivate their mood.