Identifies Basic Emotions
Child names basic emotions in themselves and others.
Ages 24–48 months
Why it matters
Putting a name to feelings is the first step toward managing them; emotional vocabulary lets a child seek help, build empathy, and self-regulate.
What mastery looks like
- Names happy, sad, mad, and scared when shown faces or in real situations.
- Labels their own feeling with a word at least sometimes.
How to observe it
- When a story character shows a feeling, can the child name it?
- During a strong feeling, does the child have a word for what they feel?
Accessibility
- Pair feeling words with photos, drawings, or signs for children with language differences.
- Use a consistent set of feeling visuals so the cues stay familiar.
Activities
Evidence
- CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Developmental Milestones — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2022 · U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Early Atlas