Beginning of Year Social Emotional Lesson

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh

Sharing Emotions with Adjusting Anna & the Feeling Clouds Check-In Tool

Sharing an emotion with someone creates an immediate bond and helps you feel less alone. Children experience this when they meet Adjusting Anna, one of the first documented Powerful You Kids. Anna’s personal story and portrait open the door to important conversations about managing life changes and emotions.

When life feels like it has done a flip-flop, take a moment to check in with yourself:

  • How am I feeling emotionally?

  • How is my body feeling physically?

  • How am I breathing?

One safe and creative way for children to express emotions is through art—using crayons, colored pencils, or paint.

The Feeling Clouds Check-In Tool

Label and rate emotions with colorful clouds.

Anna will guide you through the process of labeling and rating your feelings with Feeling Clouds. This tool provides a safe, nonverbal way to share emotions—especially helpful when words feel intimidating.

Anna’s empowering self-talk is:
“I adjust to change.”

Activity: Imagining Your Feelings as Clouds

  1. Take a few conscious breaths.
    Imagine your feelings as clouds in the sky.

    • Some are big and strong.

    • Others are light and fluffy.

    • Some may be dark, heavy, or stormy.

    • And just like real clouds, feelings change, move, and eventually pass.

  2. Color your clouds.
    Grab crayons, colored pencils, or paint and assign colors to emotions. For example:

    • Red = Anger

    • Blue = Sadness

    • Green = Jealousy

    • Orange = Worry

    • Purple = Pride

    • Black = Frustration/Disappointment

    • Yellow = Happiness

    • Mix colors = Confusion

  3. Size your clouds.

    • A BIG, strong emotion might fill the whole page.

    • A smaller feeling might be just a little cloud in the corner.

  4. Reflect in writing.
    On the back of the paper, journal about the cause of any big feelings.

Extending the Lesson with Anna

After expressing feelings through art, read the Powerful You story Adjusting Anna. Hear how Anna handled her own family changes, then reflect together using journaling prompts.

This process helps children:

  • Build self-awareness

  • Normalize the ups and downs of emotions

  • Develop healthy ways to process life changes

Feeling Clouds Check In tool

Label and rate emotions by using the Feeling Clouds Check-In Tool with Adjusting Anna from Powerful You

Julie Frizzi