Do they think that adults feel sad? Reassure them that yes, of course, adults feel sad and sometimes cry too. It’s always the same routine, which makes it predictable and sets my students up for success.Īfter reading the book take a minute to talk about feeling sad. For my now 3-year-olds, I sing a good morning song, do the circle time chant and then it’s time for a book and quick lesson. Start with your circle time routine you have a routine right? If not, it’s not too late. Grab this book every child needs to read it. Men are often shown angry but rarely sad or crying. This is more powerful than it seems because many students just don’t get to see this. Many of these uber macho guys are shown crying. Each tough guy is shown in a situation where they are feeling frustrated, lonely, or sad. From pro wrestlers to tough guys on Harley Davidsons, to homesick astronauts in space, this book’s premise is simple, but its execution is perfect.

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Keith Negley is a gem! This book is all about confronting and breaking stereotypes. Print out the images, cut out, and laminate. You will need the happy, and sad men printable, scissors, a laminator (optional) and the very best book for this activity is Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Keith Negley though you could use any book about emotions in a pinch. I decided to use many pictures of dads for the activity because small children relate to dads. This preschool lesson about emotions is not just for boys, it is for all children as all children need to learn that strong and brave men can cry, can feel frustrated, and that is normal and OK. However, as a teacher, I am also cognizant that I owe it to these boys and girls to give them a more balanced view of human emotions, specifically male emotions. It usually comes up when the discussion moves to monsters “My Daddy could squash a monster!” or “When I am big like my dad I will scare that monster away!” Have you noticed that in your classroom or on the playground too? I think it’s terrific that my students see their fathers as protectors and view them as being able to use their superhuman strength to scare away monsters. Something I’ve noticed in my classroom lately is how my students talk about how strong their dads are.

Guys have feelings too