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Words for feelings

When children usually learn words for feelings, and how to name feelings as they happen.

This guide is about words for feelings, like happy, sad, cross and scared. In the ideas below, you name a feeling while it is happening.

They fit into play, jobs around the house and trips out. You can use the same ideas in any language.

When children learn this

  • By about 4, many children understand and use words for basic feelings, like happy, sad, angry and surprised.
  • Between 4 and 5, many children start to learn words for harder feelings, like confused and upset.
  • Children learn language skills at different ages.

Try this

While you play

Play with a baby doll. In your game, the baby drops her ice cream and cries.

  • Your child: Baby crying.
  • You: The baby is crying. She is sad. Her ice cream fell down.

Around the house

Your child's block tower falls over and they stamp their feet.

  • Your child: It fall down!
  • You: Your tower fell down. You look cross. I would feel cross too.

When you go out

At the park, a big dog on a lead walks past. Your child holds on to your leg.

  • Your child: Big dog!
  • You: A big dog. You look a bit scared. The dog is on a lead.

Why it helps

  • When you use words that fit what is happening, in short sentences, your child hears them while it happens. Your child does not have to copy you.
  • Reading together and talking about the pictures gives you both more to talk about.

When to get help

  • Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child is between 2 and 3 and does not try to communicate with you.
  • See your GP if your child is 3 or older and finds it hard to notice or make sense of their own feelings or other people's feelings, like happy or sad.
  • Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child is between 4 and 5 and has trouble understanding what people say.
  • At any age, see your GP if your child does not respond to sounds or to things they see, makes little or no eye contact, or has poor interaction with adults or other children.

More help

Sources

© State of New South Wales. For current information go to www.nsw.gov.au. CC BY 4.0.

Last checked 12 October 2026

General information, not medical advice. Talk to a health professional about your child.

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