Perspective-Taking Role-Play Scripts

These scripts provide short scenarios for students to practice identifying emotions and taking another's perspective through role-play. Print and cut apart.

Scenario 1: Jamie Lost a Toy

Characters: Jamie, Friend

Jamie: (Looking upset, hands searching pockets/bag) “Oh no! My favorite toy, the little blue car, it’s gone! I can’t find it anywhere!”

Friend: (Observing Jamie) “What’s wrong, Jamie? Are you looking for something?”

Jamie: “Yes! My blue car! It was just here. Now it’s not.” (Looks sad and frustrated)

Teacher Prompt: How do you think Jamie feels? Why might Jamie feel that way?

Student Response (as Friend): (Use the phrase: “I think Jamie feels ___ because ___”)

Scenario 2: Mia's Drawing Accident

Characters: Mia, Classmate

Mia: (Sitting at a table, looking down at a spilled cup of water on her drawing, shoulders slumped) “My beautiful rainbow drawing… now it’s all wet and smeared. I worked so hard on it.” (Sighs sadly)

Classmate: (Walking by, sees Mia) “Hey, Mia, what happened to your paper?”

Mia: “The water spilled. It ruined my drawing.” (Looks like she might cry)

Teacher Prompt: How do you think Mia feels? Why might Mia feel that way?

Student Response (as Classmate): (Use the phrase: “I think Mia feels ___ because ___”)

Scenario 3: Sam's Turn Was Skipped

Characters: Sam, Playmate, Teacher (optional for narration)

Teacher (narrating): Sam and Playmate are building a tower with blocks. It's Sam's turn to add a block, but Playmate quickly puts one on instead.

Sam: (Arms crossed, frown on face) “Hey! It was my turn! You didn’t let me put my block on.” (Looks annoyed and a bit angry)

Playmate: “Oops, sorry! I just wanted to finish it.”

Teacher Prompt: How do you think Sam feels? Why might Sam feel that way?

Student Response (as Playmate): (Use the phrase: “I think Sam feels ___ because ___”)

Use these scripts with the Emotion Explorers Slide Deck, Emotion Explorers Script, and Emotion Explorers Worksheets for guided practice in perspective taking.

Coping Strategy Cards

Use these printable cards to remind your student of quick, kid-friendly ways to calm down. Cut apart and laminate for durability.

1. Balloon Breath 🎈

Icon: [ ]
Steps:
• Place hands on belly like you’re holding a balloon.
• Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4 (watch your belly rise).
• Exhale through your mouth for a count of 4 (watch your belly fall).
• Repeat 3–5 times.

2. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding ✋

Icon: [ ]
Steps:

1. Look around and name 5 things you can see.
2. Touch 4 things you can feel.
3. Listen for 3 things you can hear.
4. Smell 2 things you can smell.
5. Taste 1 thing in your mouth.

3. Counting Backwards 🔢

Icon: [ ]
Steps:
• Take a deep breath in.
• Count backwards from 5 down to 1 (5-4-3-2-1).
• Notice how your body feels calmer.

4. Positive Self-Talk 💬

Icon: [ ]
Steps:
• Pause and take a breath.
• Say a kind phrase to yourself: “I can do this,” “I am safe,” or “I will try again.”
• Repeat as needed.

5. Shoulder Rolls 🤸

Icon: [ ]
Steps:
• Sit or stand tall.
• Roll your shoulders slowly forward in a circle 3 times.
• Roll your shoulders slowly backward in a circle 3 times.
• Breathe deeply as you move.

6. Squeeze & Release 🤲

Icon: [ ]
Steps:
• Grab a small stress ball or folded sock.
• Squeeze it tight in your hand for 5 seconds.
• Let it go and relax your hand for 5 seconds.
• Repeat 3–5 times.

(Feel free to draw or paste the matching icon in the [ ] on each card.)

Emotion Explorers Worksheets

These worksheets support each session of the Emotion Explorers Journey. Teachers can add photos or drawings where indicated.

Session 1: Identifying Basic Emotions

1. Draw a face for each emotion word below. Label each drawing.
   • Happy
   • Sad
   • Angry
   • Scared

1. Think of a time you felt happy. Draw a picture and write one sentence about it.

1. Which emotion do you feel right now? Circle one: Happy / Sad / Angry / Scared

Session 2: Recognizing Emotions on Faces

Below are placeholders for four photos of children’s faces showing different emotions. Under each picture, circle the word that matches the feeling.

Picture 1: 🙂 Happy Sad Angry Scared

Picture 2: 😢 Happy Sad Angry Scared

Picture 3: 😠 Happy Sad Angry Scared

Picture 4: 😨 Happy Sad Angry Scared

Session 3: Reading Body Language

Look at each body posture description. Write the emotion you think it shows.

• Arms crossed → ____________________________

• Shoulders slumped → ____________________________

• Fists clenched → ____________________________

Draw a stick figure next to each posture, showing how someone might stand when they feel that way.

Session 4: Perspective Taking & Thought Bubbles

1. For each scenario, fill in: I think ___ feels ___ because ___

   Scenario A: You lost your drawing.
   I think ______________________________________________________________

Scenario B: A friend’s toy broke.
I think ______________________________________________________________

2. Thought Bubble Drawing! Choose one of the scenarios above. In the space below, draw the scene and add a thought bubble above a character’s head to show what they are thinking or feeling.

Session 5: Deep Breathing Strategy

1. Draw yourself doing the Balloon Breath. Add labels for inhale and exhale.

1. Write one time at school or home when you could use balloon breath to calm down.

Session 6: Counting & Positive Self-Talk

1. Match each situation to the best coping strategy by drawing a line.

Situation: Strategy:

• Big test coming up — 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
• Feeling nervous before a game — Positive Self-Talk
• Feeling tense after running — Shoulder Rolls

1. Write your own positive phrase you can say when you feel upset.
   “__________________________________________________________________”

Session 7: Positive Self-Talk Role-Play

Write down what you would say to yourself in each situation.

1. You spilled your milk.

1. You can’t find a pencil.

Session 8: Combined Skills Practice

Complete the chart for each mini-story.

Session 9: Review Practice

1. Under each face below, write the correct emotion word (Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared).

🙂 ________ 😢 ________ 😠 ________ 😨 ________

1. Which coping strategy would you use? Write the name next to each feeling.

a) Your heart is racing. → ____________________

b) You feel anger rising. → ____________________

Use these worksheets alongside the Emotion Explorers Slide Deck, Coping Strategy Cards, and Perspective-Taking Role-Play Scripts for guided support.

Emotion Charades Cards

These printable cards prompt students to act out an emotion without speaking. Print, cut apart, and use in charades games or emotion-practice activities.

Happy
Pretend you just got a surprise party.

Happy
Pretend you’re playing with a puppy.

Happy
Pretend you received a high-five from a friend.

Happy
Pretend you got an “A” on a quiz.

Sad
Pretend you dropped your ice cream cone.

Sad
Pretend you lost your favorite hat.

Sad
Pretend someone forgot your birthday.

Sad
Pretend your balloon just popped.

Angry
Pretend someone took your turn in line.

Angry
Pretend your blocks got knocked over.

Angry
Pretend someone called you a mean name.

Angry
Pretend you can’t open your snack.

Scared
Pretend you saw a spider crawling.

Scared
Pretend you’re in a dark cave.

Scared
Pretend you heard a loud thunderstorm.

Scared
Pretend you’re on a roller coaster for the first time.

Use these cards with the rest of the Emotion Explorers program, alongside Emotion Explorers Slide Deck, Coping Strategy Cards, and Emotion Explorers Worksheets. Students draw a card, act out the prompt, and classmates guess the emotion!

Emotion Explorers Script - Session 4: Introduction to Perspective Taking (30 min)

This is a word-for-word script for the teacher to follow during Session 4 of the Emotion Explorers Journey. Use the linked materials at each step to engage the student and guide activities.

Session 4: Introduction to Perspective Taking (30 min)

Teacher: “Welcome back! Listen to this story: ‘Jamie lost a toy.’ How do you think Jamie feels?”

Teacher: “On our Emotion Explorers Slide Deck, we’ll learn to say: ‘I think ___ feels ___ because ___.’ Watch me fill it in.”

Model: “I think Jamie feels sad because the toy is gone.”

Teacher: “Now let’s role-play that story using our Perspective-Taking Role-Play Scripts. I’ll be Jamie; you can be the friend.”

Role-play once; then swap roles.

Teacher: “In your worksheet from Emotion Explorers Worksheets, complete: ‘I think ___ feels ___ because ___’ for two new scenarios.”

Guide writing.

Teacher: “Why might people feel differently about the same thing? For example, Jamie might be sad, but someone else might feel upset in a different way.”

Teacher: “Cool-down: take three slow breaths and say, ‘I can pause and think.’”

Teacher: “Fantastic thinking!”