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Feelings Superheroes

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Lesson Plan

Feelings Superheroes Lesson Plan

In this 25-minute one-on-one session, children will learn to recognize and accept their feelings and commit to a small value-driven coping action by designing a “feelings superhero.”

Divorce can trigger complex emotions; this targeted ACT lesson helps young children label feelings, practice acceptance, and build emotional resilience through creative expression and play.

Audience

Elementary students (ages 5–10) with divorced parents

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Interactive art, game, and discussion to practice ACT skills

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Check-In

3 minutes

  • Welcome the student and explain that you’ll explore feelings and how to cope like superheroes.
  • Display the title slide on the Feelings Superheroes Slide Deck.
  • Ask the student to name one feeling they have right now.

Step 2

Emotion Identification Discussion

5 minutes

  • Show slides of cartoon characters displaying different emotions.
  • Invite the student to label each emotion (happy, sad, angry, confused).
  • Introduce the ACT idea that all feelings are okay to have.

Step 3

Emotion Sorting Game

5 minutes

  • Lay out the Emotion Sorting Game Cards face down.
  • Student draws a card, names the feeling, and places it into an “All Feelings Welcome” pile.
  • Reinforce acceptance by praising accurate naming, even for hard feelings.

Step 4

Creative Art Activity: Design a Feelings Superhero

8 minutes

  • Provide paper and crayons from Art Supplies.
  • Ask the student to draw a superhero who represents a difficult feeling they’ve had.
  • Encourage them to give the hero a special power that helps cope with that feeling (e.g., “Bravery Blast”).
  • Prompt with questions: “How does your hero feel?” “What power helps them?”

Step 5

Worksheet Reflection & Commitment

4 minutes

  • Hand out the Creative Coping Worksheet.
  • Guide the student to draw or write one coping action their superhero uses when feeling that emotion.
  • Ask them to choose one small action they can try at home to cope when they feel that way.
  • Summarize: Recognize your feeling, accept it, and take one superhero step of action.
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Slide Deck

Feelings Superheroes

Welcome! Today we’ll discover our feelings and learn how to handle them like superheroes.

Welcome the student warmly. Explain that today they’ll become 'Feelings Superheroes' by exploring emotions and learning how to cope with them.

Check-In: How Are You Feeling?

• Think of one feeling you have right now.
• Show me an emoji or word that matches that feeling.

Use this slide to start a casual check-in. Encourage the student to share one word or emoji that describes how they feel right now.

Spot the Feeling

[Image of a smiling face] Happy
[Image of a teary face] Sad
[Image of a frowning red face] Angry
[Image of a swirling head] Confused

Show each cartoon image one at a time (happy, sad, angry, confused). Ask the student to name the emotion. Reinforce that naming feelings is the first step to understanding them.

All Feelings Welcome

• Every emotion is allowed
• Feelings come and go
• Like superheroes, we notice them without fighting them

Introduce the ACT idea: all feelings are okay to have. Emphasize acceptance—superheroes notice their feelings without fighting them.

Emotion Sorting Game

  1. Lay cards face down.
  2. Draw a card and name the feeling.
  3. Place it in the “All Feelings Welcome” pile.
  4. Celebrate each correct answer!

Explain the Emotion Sorting Game rules clearly. Provide the cards and guide the student through the first round if needed.

Design Your Feelings Superhero

• Draw a superhero for one tough feeling you’ve had.
• Give them a special power to cope (e.g., “Bravery Blast”).
• Think: How does your hero feel? What power helps them?

Transition to the art activity. Give the student paper and crayons. Encourage creativity and discussion as they draw.

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Activity

Emotion Sorting Game Cards

Print and cut along the lines to create individual cards. Each card shows an emotion word and a simple icon. Use these cards to play the Emotion Sorting Game: draw a card, name the feeling, and place it in the “All Feelings Welcome” pile.

CardIconColor Border
Happy😊Yellow
Sad😢Light Blue
Angry😠Red
Scared😨Purple
Confused😕Orange
Excited🤩Green
Calm😌Teal

Cut on the dotted lines to separate cards before playing. Each card should be large enough for a young child to see and handle easily.

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Worksheet

Creative Coping Worksheet

Today you’ll help your Feelings Superhero plan how to cope with big emotions. Complete each section below.

  1. My superhero’s name is: _______________________________


  2. The feeling my superhero represents is: __________________


  3. Draw your Feelings Superhero here:










  4. My hero’s special power to cope is: ______________________


  5. Draw or describe how your hero uses that power when they feel this way:








  6. One thing I can try at home when I feel this way is: ___________




Superhero Reminder: Recognize your feeling, accept it, and take one brave action!

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