The Feeling Workshop was an engaging and interactive programme where children explored a wide range of emotions through fun activities, games and creative expression. Each day focused on a different feeling, which encouraged and aided recognition, expression and management of their emotion in a healthy manner. This workshop allowed children to connect deeply with their emotions, building emotional regulation, awareness and resilience.

Here’s a look at each day:

Day 1: The Joyful Garden

Our journey began with joy—a feeling that uplifts and inspires but can sometimes be difficult to hold onto. Through a series of interactive exercises, we explored what brings joy to each of us and how it feels physically and emotionally. Activities included guided visualisations and gratitude exercises to help children reconnect with joyful memories and experiences. The day left everyone feeling lighter, setting a positive tone for the week.

Day 2: The Sadness Cloud

On the second day, we turned our attention to sadness, a feeling often avoided but essential to emotional health. We discussed the importance of allowing ourselves to grieve and acknowledge loss. Through group sharing and creative journaling, children gained insights into their sadness and learned ways to process it constructively. By the end of the day, many expressed a new sense of relief, having given themselves permission to feel this emotion fully.

Day 3: The Anger Volcano

Anger can be a powerful and sometimes overwhelming emotion, so day three was dedicated to exploring it. We worked on identifying triggers and understanding the underlying causes of anger. Activities included safe and controlled expression exercises, like mindful movement, yoga, breathing exercises and art, to release anger in constructive ways. The children found new strategies to manage anger, which helped transform it from a reactive emotion to a guide for personal boundaries and self-respect.

Day 4: The Fear Monster

The fourth day was centred around fear—a feeling that often keeps us from reaching our full potential. We explored both physical and psychological responses to fear, including techniques for managing anxiety and staying grounded. Through guided breathing exercises, visualizations, and group discussions, children learnt how to face their fears with curiosity instead of avoidance. The day ended with a renewed sense of courage and empowerment for many in the group.

Day 5: The Worry Tree

On the final day, we focused on worry, an emotion that can consume our minds and energy. We discussed the difference between productive and unproductive worry and practiced strategies to manage intrusive thoughts. Activities included mindfulness practices and cognitive reframing exercises to help children identify unhelpful thinking patterns. By the end of the session, we felt more at ease and equipped with tools to manage worry in their daily lives.

Each day of the workshop offered children the chance to explore a different emotion in a safe, supportive environment. By the end of the week, children left with a greater understanding of their emotions and practical strategies for managing them. It was a transformative experience, one that underscored the importance of acknowledging and accepting all our feelings on the path to emotional well-being.

Each day of the workshop offered children the chance to explore a different emotion in a safe, supportive environment. By the end of the week, children left with a greater understanding of their emotions and practical strategies for managing them. It was a transformative experience, one that underscored the importance of acknowledging and accepting all our feelings on the path to emotional well-being.

Instructor: Naima (Counsellor, Psychotherapist)