How important is it to identify and recognize your emotions?
On a scale of 1-10, we’d probably say 11. We believe that it is really important for people to be aware of what they feel, all the time.
Being familiar with your emotions can help you in a lot of ways. For instance, it can help you realize what your next steps should be and help you practice grounding or relaxing techniques.
In this post, we share with you a list of printable feelings wheels in PDF format that can help you and your kids become more aware of your emotions.
Most of these wheels are free to download, so we hope that you will take this chance to start a new practice. There is also a section about how to use a feelings wheel if it’s your first time doing so.
Let’s check them out!
1. Wheel of Emotions
Our first entry is from Defend Innocence. You can download and print it once you visit their site. It aims to help kids identify their emotions based on the words and faces on the wheel.
What’s interesting about this printable is that you can continue to use it as your children get older. Start with the very core of the wheel for simpler emotions while they are still young, then move further out on the wheel as they grow older.
2. Emotion Wheel for Kids
This printable is sort of a simpler version of the previous entry, so it may be appropriate for even younger kids. It only has the basic emotions and fundamental colors. We recommend it to parents with very young children.
3. Emotion Wheel for Children
Are you looking for another entry that appropriate for really early learners? If so, you might want to try this printable feelings wheel from Liska Adventure.
As you can see, it only has 10 emotions and they are all quite simple.
4. The Feel Wheel
Self-awareness is one of the most important values you can teach your children. It is something that should be taught as early as possible. You can do so through this feelings wheel from iMom (or any of the other entries on this list). This one includes words that may help your children describe more accurately what they are feeling.
5. Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions
Robert Plutchick is a major proponent of the emotions wheel. If you are looking for a printable that is close to what he originally invented, you might want to try this one. Kids can use it, too, but it may be more appropriate for adults.
Six Seconds provides a brief yet comprehensive explanation of how to use Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions on their site.
6. I Feel…
Here’s a more detailed wheel that is definitely for adults. You will find a variety of words that can help you describe your feelings more accurately. If you are looking to really get in tune with your emotions, this is a great tool for doing so.
7. Emotion Behavior Wheel
Did someone say more words? Here you go! This emotion wheel even has phrases to provide you with a more comprehensive description of what you are feeling at the moment.
How to Use a Feelings Wheel
Feelings wheels are beneficial both for kids and adults because they help us understand ourselves better.
They also help us come up with solutions for dealing with our negative emotions more effectively. But how, exactly, do you use a feelings wheel?
It’s actually quite simple.
- Start at the center and identify the emotion that best describes what you are feeling at the moment.
- Move outward and check for other words that may be more appropriate in describing what you currently feel.
- As you proceed, take time to internalize which of the resonates with you best.
Once you have figured out the exact word or emotion that you are looking for, check for words with similar meanings and think about whether the word you chose is distinct from the others. Look back at what happened and why you felt that way, and list down your thoughts.
Of course, there are many different ways to use a feelings wheel. There is no right or wrong way. Just remember that the goal is to identify your feelings.
Conclusion
As we indicated earlier, being familiar with your feelings can help you in so many ways. It also indicates that you have a strong sense of self-awareness.
We hope that, through the list of printable feelings wheels, you’ll be able to start practicing this habit. Choose one (or more) for you and your kids and get started!
