Surprise

• Materials: Surprise Images (click here for link).
• Emotion Wheel

Anger Activity Instructions

These child-friendly illustrations, created using AI, are designed to show actions or social interactions that express surprise and its many shades. The goal of this activity is to help children explore the deeper context of these emotions and practice putting them into words.

Exploring Core Emotions Under Surprise
In this level, children are encouraged to identify and differ between basic feelings related to surprise, helping build comfort with emotional language.

• Startled – Like your heart skips a beat!
• Confused – Not sure what’s going on or what something means.
• Amazed – Feeling really surprised in a good way.
• Excited – Like you can’t wait and want to jump up and down.

Granular Emotions Under Surprise
In this more advanced level, children are guided to use more specific and nuanced vocabulary to describe emotional experiences. Use the emotion wheel to help them explore and expand their vocabulary.

• Startled
  • Shocked – Feeling surprised because something happened that you didn’t expect at all.
  • Dismayed – Feeling sad and let down when something goes wrong.
• Confused
  • Disillusioned – Like your hopes popped like a balloon.
  • Perplexed – Like your brain is stuck on a tricky puzzle.
• Amazed
  • Astonished – “No way!” with wide eyes.
  • Awed – Feeling amazed and full of wonder, being quiet and just taking it all in.
• Excited
  • Eager – Like you’re ready and can’t wait!
  • Energetic – Like you want to run, jump, and play!

💬 How to Guide the Conversation

1. What emotions are the characters feeling?
   Encourage specific words that go beyond “happy.”

Example:

Girl: Proud, relieved, appreciated

Boy: Playful, cheerful, included

2. What do you think led them to feel this way? What “triggered” this emotion?
   Ask children to imagine what happened before the moment shown in the picture.

“Was there a celebration? Did someone do something kind for them?”

3. What thoughts do you think the characters are having?
   Encourage empathy and perspective-taking.

“What might they be thinking right now? How did they feel just before this?”
“What do you think they’ll feel or think after this moment?”

4. What would you do or say in this moment?
   Help children explore appropriate communication and connection.

“What could someone say to keep this happiness going?”
“What words might make this moment even more special?”

5. Don’t forget the background characters!
   Ask about people in the background. What are they doing? How are they feeling? Are they supporting the emotion or missing a chance to connect?