By Amanda Abbott. Published by Make Life Shine Publishing.
Age Range: 3 to 7 (EYFS to KS1) | Duration: 45 to 60 minutes | Subject: PSHE / Emotional Literacy
About This Book
Toy Town Feelings is more than a story. It is a guided conversation. Each page invites children to recognise emotions through Teddy, Robot and Dolly, helping them find words for feelings they may not yet be able to express. The teacher's role is to open that conversation, pausing on each page to ask children how they feel when similar things happen to them.
Prior Learning
No prior knowledge is required. This lesson works as an introduction to emotional literacy. Children may benefit from having previously discussed feelings during circle time or PSHE.
Key Vocabulary
Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared, Excited, Worried, Proud, Silly, Lonely, Calm, Grateful, Nervous, Loved, Helpful, Delighted
Display these words before the lesson begins.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and name a range of emotions
- Understand that all feelings are valid
- Use a simple breathing technique for self-regulation
- Participate in shared and echo reading
- Begin expressing feelings verbally, through play or drawing
Learning Connections
- Emotional literacy: naming, recognising and talking about feelings
- Personal, social and emotional development: building relationships and practising self-regulation
- Communication and language: listening, speaking, discussing and learning emotional vocabulary
- PSHE and wellbeing: exploring feelings and simple ways to manage them
- Literacy: shared reading, vocabulary and comprehension
Free Printable Activity Sheets
Download and print these free activity sheets to use alongside the lesson:
- Help Teddy Find Robot (Maze)
- Feelings Word Match
- Draw Your Feelings
- Feelings Explorer Badge (cut out and keep)
Resources Needed
- Copy of Toy Town Feelings
- Key vocabulary displayed
- Printed activity sheets (see downloads above)
- Colouring pencils
- Mirror (optional, for facial expression activity)
Safeguarding Note
Children may share personal feelings during this lesson. If a child makes a disclosure, follow your school's safeguarding policy and report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Shared Reading Approach
Use these techniques throughout:
- Echo Reading: Read each emotion word. Children repeat it with the matching facial expression.
- Personal Connection Pause: After each page, ask: “Who would like to tell me how they feel when the same thing happens to them?”
- Choral Reading: Read The Toy Town Promise together: “In Toy Town, feelings are always welcome.”
- Participatory Reading: Children perform the “Smell the Flower, Blow the Candle” breathing exercise as you read that page.
Shared reading supports both literacy and emotional vocabulary.
Lesson Structure
1. Introduction, 5 minutes
Display the vocabulary. Introduce Teddy, Robot and Dolly as the Feelings Explorers. Ask children to choose a word that matches how they feel right now.
2. Shared Reading, 15 minutes
Read Toy Town Feelings using the shared reading approach. Pause on each emotion page and invite children to share their experiences. Echo the emotion word and show it on your face.
3. Breathing Activity, 5 minutes
Guide the class through “Smell the Flower, Blow the Candle.” Repeat three times. Ask: “How do you feel now?”
4. Whole Class Activities, 15 minutes
- Feelings Match Up: Read a scenario. Children call out the matching emotion. “Teddy smiling in the sunshine. How does Teddy feel?”
- Feelings Word Match: Show the page. Children point to the character that matches the emotion word.
- How Do You Feel Today?: Read the word cloud. Children raise their hand when they hear their feeling.
5. Independent Activity, 10 minutes
- Help Teddy Find Robot: Children complete the maze using the printable sheet.
- Draw Your Feelings: Children draw how they feel today using the printable sheet.
- Early writers add: “Today I feel ___ because ___.”
6. Closing, 5 minutes
Read The Toy Town Promise together. Award each child their printed Feelings Explorer Badge to cut out and keep. Reinforce that every feeling matters.
Differentiation
- SEND and EAL: Use picture cards. Allow pointing instead of speaking. Focus on 3 core emotions.
- Lower Attaining: Focus on 3 to 5 emotions. Use drawing instead of writing.
- Higher Attaining: Children write about a time they felt a specific emotion. Introduce the idea of mixed feelings.
Extension Activities
- Create a class Feelings Wall
- Role-play scenarios with Teddy, Robot and Dolly
- Write a class version of The Toy Town Promise
- Use the word cloud as a daily check-in routine
Assessment
- Names at least 3 emotions
- Participates in the breathing exercise
- Expresses feelings using words, drawing or gesture
- Engages with whole-class activities
- Recalls The Toy Town Promise
Teacher's Note
Toy Town Feelings offers a gentle way to explore emotional literacy through naming, validating and talking about feelings. The Toy Town Promise can be revisited as a simple classroom reminder that every feeling is welcome.
© Amanda Abbott. Make Life Shine Publishing. This lesson plan is free to use and reproduce for classroom and home learning purposes.