How Do They Feel?
Your mom cooks your favorite dinner, but you complain that you wanted something else. How might your mom feel?
Disappointed, unappreciated.
Your brother is crying because he lost his favorite toy. What would you do?
Comfort him, help him look for it.
Your dad has his arms crossed and isn’t talking much. What emotion might he be feeling?
Frustrated, upset.
Your little sister falls and scrapes her knee. What is a kind thing to do?
Help her up and get her a band-aid.
Pretend your little brother is sad because he lost his favorite toy. Show how you would comfort him.
(Client role-plays saying kind words and helping look for the toy.)
Your dad works all day and comes home really tired, but you keep asking him to play. How might your dad feel?
Exhausted, overwhelmed.
Your mom is sick and asks you to keep the noise down, but your favorite NASCAR race is on TV. What would you do?
Watch the race quietly or use headphones.
Your brother is jumping up and down and clapping his hands. What emotion might he be feeling?
Excited, happy
Your friend’s favorite NASCAR driver just lost the race. What is a kind thing to say?
“That was a tough race! They’ll get ‘em next time.”
Act out how you would react if your friend won a big race and you lost.
(Client role-plays being a good sport and congratulating the friend.)
Your little brother spends all afternoon making a LEGO tower, and you accidentally knock it over. How might he feel?
Frustrated, sad.
Your dad’s favorite NASCAR driver gets wrecked out of the race, and he's upset. What would you do?
Say something supportive, like “That stinks! Maybe next race will be better.”
A NASCAR driver is gripping the steering wheel tightly, leaning forward, and shaking his head. What emotion might he be feeling?
Frustrated, focused.
Your mom is carrying groceries into the house. What is a kind thing to do?
Help her carry the bags.
Imagine your dad is watching a NASCAR race, and you keep talking loudly. How can you show empathy?
(Client role-plays being quiet or asking dad about the race later.)
You and your best friend are at a NASCAR race, and you keep talking about your favorite driver, but your friend’s favorite driver loses. How might your friend feel?
Upset, disappointed
Your friend loses a game and is really upset. What would you do?
Encourage them by saying, “You’ll do better next time!”
Your friend is looking at the ground, shoulders slumped, and not talking much. What emotion might they be feeling?
Sad, lonely.
Your friend forgot his lunch at school. What is a kind thing to do?
Offer to share your lunch with him.
Act out how you would help a friend who got picked last for a game.
(Client role-plays inviting them to play next round or saying something kind.)
You win a big go-kart race, but instead of celebrating with your family, you brag about how much better you are. How might your family feel?
Annoyed, left out.
Your mom made a special dinner, but you don’t like it. What would you do?
Thank her anyway and eat what you can without complaining.
Your mom is smiling, but her voice sounds quiet and her eyes look watery. What emotion might she be feeling?
She might be pretending to be happy but actually feeling sad.
Your dad had a really bad day at work. What is a kind thing to do?
Ask him how his day was and listen without interrupting.
Your mom has had a long, stressful day. How could you show empathy without using words?
(Client role-plays giving her a hug, helping with chores, or bringing her a glass of water.)