Helping Kids Understand and Manage BIG Feelings (and why grown-ups should join in too)

Worley World
May 12
5 min read

Let’s be real—feelings can be hard work, even for us grown-ups. One minute your child is happily munching toast, and the next they’re having a full-on meltdown because the crust looked at them funny. Sound familiar?

As parents and carers, we’re often left wondering: How do I actually help them make sense of all this?

Well, the good news is—you don’t need to have all the answers. And no, you don’t have to be perfect. You just need a few simple tools, a little patience, and a willingness to jump into their world (yes, even if it involves pretending to be a roaring volcano of feelings for five minutes). Trust me—it’s worth it.

Why Emotional Learning Matters (More Than You Might Think)

Emotions aren’t just those things that make our kids cry in the cereal aisle or giggle during bedtime stories—they’re messages. They guide choices, shape relationships, and give children the language they need to ask for help, connect with others, and be themselves.

When we help kids name their feelings—whether it’s “I feel angry” or “I’m just a bit wobbly today”—we give them power. The power to express instead of explode. To connect rather than withdraw.

And here’s the kicker: kids learn this best when they see us doing it too. That means we’ve got to get involved. Play the silly games. Talk about our big feelings sometimes. Dance out the frustration. Be the first one to wear the silly hat. Why? Because emotional education isn’t just for kids—it’s a whole family adventure.

And don’t worry—if you’ve ever lost your cool or said “I’m fine” when you weren’t (yep, same), you’re not alone. This journey isn’t about being flawless. It’s about showing up, learning together, and saying, “Let’s figure this out, side by side.”

The 5 Basic Emotions (And Why They’re the Building Blocks for Big Feelings)

Alright, let’s break it down. Feelings are like the crayons of life—you need the basics to colour in all the wild and wonderful stuff that comes with being human. And when it comes to helping our kids understand emotions, starting with the basics is the best way forward.

Psychologist Paul Ekman (aka the guy who studied facial expressions like it was a superpower) identified five core emotions that we all experience. These are the OGs of feelings—simple, powerful, and totally normal.

Here they are, big feelings style:

Happiness – Think giggles, jumping on the sofa, that buzz they get when you say “yes” to a second biscuit.
Sadness – Might look like tears, quiet cuddles, or a kid who just wants to be left alone for a minute.
Fear – Those shaky legs before a big school day or hiding behind your leg when meeting someone new.
Anger – Yelling, stomping, or the famous toy-launch across the living room (yep, I’ve dodged a few).
Disgust – “Ew, broccoli!” or “That smells like a wet dog wearing socks.” You get the idea.

Teaching kids about these core emotions gives them a head start in figuring out what’s going on inside their little minds and bodies. One easy way to do this? Make it a game! Flashcards with funny faces or story scenarios work wonders. Ask things like, “What do you think this character feels?” or “What would you do if that happened to you?”

Helping Kids Name Their Feelings (Without Guessing Games or Tantrum Translations)

Let’s be real—most kids aren’t going to sit down and say, “I’m feeling emotionally dysregulated today, Mother.” Nope. They’re more likely to throw themselves on the floor because their toast is too toasty. That’s where we can make a big difference—by giving them the words (and characters!) to express what’s really going on.

Here’s a simple, powerful three-step trick to help:

Use Worley’s World Monsters – Each monster in Worley’s World represents a different emotion, making it easier for kids to recognise and talk about their feelings. George gets grumpy, Worley feels brave, and Jealous Hettie shows up when things feel unfair. When kids can see their feelings in a friendly monster, it makes it feel less scary—and a lot more fun to talk about!
Do a Daily Check-In – Pop a check-in chart somewhere easy to see—on the fridge, by the front door, or even next to the loo! Ask your child: “Which monster feels like you today?” This quick moment helps kids tune in to what’s going on inside. Don’t have a chart yet? Don’t worry—Worley’s got one ready for you to use!
Talk About It – Once they’ve picked a feeling, open the door for a chat. “Oh, you’re feeling like George today? Was there something that made you feel grumpy?” The goal isn’t to fix it straight away—it’s just about noticing, naming, and connecting.

The more we make emotions part of everyday conversation, the easier it becomes for kids to express themselves. And when you jump in with them—big kid energy and all—they feel seen, heard, and loved..

Feelings Daily Check In

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Let’s Talk Calming Down (Without Shouting or Shushing)

Big feelings can lead to big outbursts—and that’s okay. Our job isn’t to stop kids from feeling things; it’s to help them learn what to do when those feelings get too big to handle. That’s where calm-down strategies come in.

Worley’s World is packed with simple tools to help your child manage those tricky moments—and they’re all designed to be easy, fun, and totally doable (even on meltdown Mondays). Inside our membership area, you’ll find videos, printable resources, and monster-approved activities you can use again and again.

Here are a few of our favourites:

Breathing Exercises – We love teaching kids to “breathe like Worley.” Inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for four. Add a hand on the tummy or a cuddly monster to hug, and it becomes a calming moment you can share together.
Visualisation – Worley often visits his calm, safe place when his worries get too loud. Guide your child to close their eyes and imagine their own peaceful world—what can they see? Hear? Feel?
Movement Breaks – Sometimes the best way to calm the chaos is to shake it out! Dance like Jealous Jake, stomp like Angry George, or jump around until the wiggles are gone. It’s not silly—it’s smart.

Make Feelings a Family Thing

The more we talk about emotions, the less scary they feel. At Worley’s World, we believe feelings should be talked about at breakfast, in the car, during storytime—wherever and whenever they show up. It’s all part of making emotional wellbeing part of everyday family life.

Here’s how you can encourage those chats at home:

Model It – Don’t be afraid to say, “I felt a bit overwhelmed today, so I took some deep breaths like Worley taught us.” You’re not being dramatic—you’re being real.
Really Listen – When your child opens up (even if it’s mid-toothbrushing), stop and listen. Let them know it’s okay to feel however they feel.
Build Empathy – Ask your child, “How do you think your friend felt today?” It’s a gentle way to stretch those compassion muscles and build emotional awareness.

All the Tools, All in One Place

You don’t need to do this alone. Inside the Worley’s World Underground Membership Area, you’ll find:

Printable calm-down strategies and monster-themed emotion charts
Guided activities to help your child name and manage feelings
Videos, stories, and creative play ideas that make emotional learning part of your family’s everyday life
Unlimited access—so you can dip in whenever you need it most (even on the third tantrum of the day)

Final Thoughts (From One Big Kid to Another)

Helping kids understand their emotions isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. Whether you’re dancing around the kitchen pretending to be George the Angry Monster or quietly naming your own feelings during a tough moment, every small step matters.

Worley’s World is here to support you through it all. Because when grown-ups get involved, model emotional courage, and join their kids in the journey—we don’t just raise emotionally aware children… we raise emotionally connected families.