Naming feelings: how the skill grows from 18 to 36 months
Naming feelings means learning words for feelings such as happy, sad, angry, scared and tired. Feeling words help a child understand what is happening inside and let them ask for help in words rather than only in actions.
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Naming feelings: the ladder, step by step
Pick the step that looks most like your child today. The next step and activities that practise it appear below.
No step picked yet. There is no wrong answer: pick the closest one.
Next step: Hears feelings named. Looks at you when you say "You're angry. The tower fell."
Activities that fit this step
- Name the Feeling as It Happens · 12–24 months · 2–5 min
- Mirror Feelings Faces · 17–28 months · 3–6 min
- Feelings Faces in Board Books · 21–33 months · 5–10 min
Next step: Recognises feelings. Points to the sad face in a book when you ask.
Activities that fit this step
- Name the Feeling as It Happens · 12–24 months · 2–5 min
- Mirror Feelings Faces · 17–28 months · 3–6 min
- Feelings Faces in Board Books · 21–33 months · 5–10 min
Next step: Uses one or two words. Says "sad" or "happy" about themselves or a toy.
Activities that fit this step
- Feelings Faces in Board Books · 21–33 months · 5–10 min
- Family Feelings Photo Cards · 24–34 months · 5–10 min
- Cozy Cushion Calm Corner · 24–36 months · 5–15 min
Next step: Names in the moment. Says "I mad!" during frustration instead of only hitting or crying.
Activities that fit this step
- Family Feelings Photo Cards · 24–34 months · 5–10 min
- Cozy Cushion Calm Corner · 24–36 months · 5–15 min
- Park Bench Feelings Watch · 26–36 months · 5–10 min
Top of the ladder (names in the moment). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Family Feelings Photo Cards · 24–34 months · 5–10 min
- Cozy Cushion Calm Corner · 24–36 months · 5–15 min
- Park Bench Feelings Watch · 26–36 months · 5–10 min
The naming feelings ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 18 to 36 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
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Shows feelings
Laughs, cries, stomps or hides clearly in different moments.
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Hears feelings named
Looks at you when you say "You're angry. The tower fell."
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Recognises feelings
Points to the sad face in a book when you ask.
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Uses one or two words
Says "sad" or "happy" about themselves or a toy.
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Names in the moment
Says "I mad!" during frustration instead of only hitting or crying.
When naming feelings usually shows up
Naming feelings is not on the CDC checklists up to age 3. Many toddlers understand a few feeling words in the third year; saying them usually comes later, and many 3-year-olds can name a few basic feelings.
This page follows naming feelings from 18 to 36 months, a window that spans the 18-month, 24-month, 30-month and 36-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 6 activities practise naming feelings (4 as their main skill), for ages 12 to 36 months. 3 of them need no prep and take 10 minutes or less. By age, they sit closest to steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the 5-step ladder.
Activities that practise naming feelings
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 6 social-emotional. Quickest to start: Name the Feeling as It Happens (2–5 minutes).
Step 1: Shows feelings
Step 2: Hears feelings named
Step 3: Recognises feelings
Step 4: Uses one or two words
Skills practised alongside
The activities for naming feelings most often also work on noticing others' feelings (3), calming with help (2), imitating actions (1), naming things (1) and pointing to pictures (1). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Name the feeling when it happens, in a calm voice: "You're sad. Daddy left."
- Talk about faces in books: "He looks scared. What happened?"
- Name your own feelings too: "I'm frustrated. I'll take a breath."
What to avoid
- Telling your child they are not upset, or that a feeling is wrong; name it and help them through it.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
If your child has very frequent, long or intense outbursts, seems very hard to comfort, or does not respond to your feelings at all, talk with the pediatrician about it.
Worried about naming feelings between visits? Call the pediatrician; CDC's free resources also explain how to contact your local Early Intervention program directly. Milestones are for monitoring, not diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When do toddlers start naming feelings?
Naming feelings is not on the CDC checklists up to age 3. Many toddlers understand a few feeling words in the third year; saying them usually comes later, and many 3-year-olds can name a few basic feelings. The first step to look for: laughs, cries, stomps or hides clearly in different moments.
How can I help my toddler with naming feelings?
Name the feeling when it happens, in a calm voice: "You're sad. Daddy left." Talk about faces in books: "He looks scared. What happened?" A good first activity is Name the Feeling as It Happens (12–24 months).
What should I avoid when practising naming feelings?
Telling your child they are not upset, or that a feeling is wrong; name it and help them through it.
When should I mention naming feelings to the pediatrician?
If your child has very frequent, long or intense outbursts, seems very hard to comfort, or does not respond to your feelings at all, talk with the pediatrician about it. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.