Use this poster to prompt daily emotional check-ins and encourage self-awareness. There are three printable options, including a black and white poster which could be used for colouring.

Use this poster to encourage children to become more aware of their own thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Explain that this is the first step in self-regulation. This poster also supports children in interpreting the emotions of others.

Ask children to observe the actions of the various expressionless Pink Men shown on the poster. Encourage them to use empathy and inference skills to determine how each one might be feeling and perhaps reason why.

Additionally, invite children to identify which Pink Man most closely represents their current feelings and explain why using personal examples if they feel comfortable doing so. You may need to model this to children, for example: ‘I feel like the Pink Man that is bouncing on the trampoline, because I feel excited and playful.’ Or, ‘I feel like the Pink Man that is hiding behind the tree because I feel like I need some space’.

This activity helps children practise verbalising their thoughts and feelings by using external indicators as prompts. Display the poster by your classroom door to encourage children to reflect on how they are feeling as they enter school in the morning and again when they leave at the end of the day.

For added engagement, the black-and-white template can also be used as a colouring activity. As children colour, discuss the different scenarios and potential emotional reactions.