Feelings Unit (Toddlers)
Lesson 5: Big Feelings — Sadness

Lesson Goals

  1. Introducing strategies to deal with sadness
  2. Practicing dealing with sadness

Lesson Description

Students will talk about a basic human emotion — sadness — and learn some useful strategies to cope with this big feeling. 

Lesson Plan: Big Feelings — Sadness

Play "Us Time" Song

Edit Content

Open Us Time with the “Us Time” song. Sing it together or play the video. 

Review Agreements

Edit Content

Agreements are rules that people decide, together, to follow such as:

  • Paying attention to each other;
  • Keeping our hands to ourselves; and
  • Giving everyone a turn to speak.

In each session, discuss agreements, add to them, modify them, and recommit. Students can raise their hands or say “I agree” to show that they agree.

Listen to "The Sad Song"

Edit Content

Listen to “The Sad Song,” a song by Ryan and Courtney Lofty from Noggin’s Big Heart Beats Album. Listen to the music and the lyrics in the song.

Discuss: Let's Talk About Sadness

Edit Content
Discuss sadness as a class. Use these prompts to get the conversation started: 

  • What do you look like when you feel sad?

  • What helps you to feel better when you are sad? Document children’s ideas. For example, taking a deep breath, counting, or a hug!

  • What can you do when you are sad? Document children’s ideas. For example: cry, spend time alone, or use words to share how you feel.

  • What are some things that make you feel sad? Document children’s ideas (with words or pictures) for all to see.

Closing Discussion

Edit Content

Conclude with a review of the sadness lesson:

  • What did we learn about sadness? (Allow the class to share.)
  • It’s OK to be sad. When we’re sad, we can use our breathing, art, and words to share how we feel and help us feel better.

Thank You: Share the Us Time Closing Song

Edit Content

Conclude with “Thank You,” the Us Time “goodbye” song. This song marks the end of Us Time. Invite children to share what they want to say “thank you” for! Find the song online at playsparkler.org/UsTimeSongs.

What You'll Need
  • Your “Us Time” classroom space, where the class will gather
  • Crayons
  • Paper
Lesson Quick Links

Family Engagement Materials

From this lesson, you can share:
Feelings Reading List
Activities to Play At Home
Suggested Letter to Send Home
Research/Sources

Explore Other Us Time Resources

For Toddlers 2-3 Years Old
For Littles 4-6 Years Old