What this is
A gentle tutor that helps kids practice emotional awareness step-by-step: notice what's happening in your body, name the feeling, understand what you need, and choose what to do next. There are no quizzes, no right answers, no grades. It's a safe space to practice the building blocks of emotional intelligence—recognizing signals, building vocabulary, and learning to pause before reacting. The tutor guides, kids explore, and over time these skills become second nature.
Try the tutor
Pick a mini-lesson and practice noticing, naming, and choosing.
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We're building this tutor now. Check back soon, or explore our other games and tools.
Mini lesson selection screen
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How to use
- Pick a mini-lesson from the menu (body signals, feeling words, needs, coping).
- The tutor guides you through gentle questions—no pressure, no wrong answers.
- Notice what's happening in your body, name the feeling, explore what you need.
- Choose a next step: take a breath, talk to someone, try a coping strategy, or just notice.
- Reflect on what you learned or noticed (optional journaling prompt).
- Repeat with different lessons, or revisit the same one when feelings come up.
Gentle prompts for practice
- Where in your body do you feel something right now?
- If that feeling had a name, what would it be?
- What do you need when you feel this way?
- What's one small thing you could try right now to feel a little better?
- Who could you talk to if this feeling gets bigger?
Body signals + feelings screen
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Why it helps
Builds emotional vocabulary over time
Many kids know "happy," "sad," "mad"—but struggle with "frustrated," "overwhelmed," "disappointed," or "proud." The tutor introduces new feeling words in context, paired with examples and body cues. Over time, kids build a richer vocabulary for naming what's going on inside. More words means more clarity, and clarity makes feelings less scary and more manageable.
Connects body cues to feelings (without pressure)
Feelings show up in the body first: tight chest, clenched fists, butterflies in the stomach. The tutor helps kids notice these signals without judgment or urgency. "Where do you feel it?" becomes a tool for self-awareness, not a test. Learning to read body cues early means kids can catch feelings before they escalate—giving them more choice in how they respond.
Improves regulation readiness (pause + choose)
Emotional intelligence isn't just naming feelings—it's learning to pause between feeling and reacting. The tutor practices that pause: notice, name, need, next step. This sequence becomes a mental habit. In real moments of stress, kids who've practiced this loop are more likely to pause, think, and choose a helpful response instead of reacting impulsively.
Supports communication and repair
When kids can name their feelings and needs, they can communicate them: "I'm frustrated because I need help," or "I'm lonely and I need company." This clarity helps adults respond more effectively and teaches kids that feelings are information, not something to hide. Over time, this also supports repair: "I was angry, and I yelled—I'm sorry." Understanding feelings is the first step to managing them and talking about them.
Skills kids practice over time
- Body awareness (noticing physical cues)
- Emotion labeling (building vocabulary)
- Need identification (what helps me feel better?)
- Self-regulation (pause before reacting)
- Communication (expressing feelings clearly)
Next step / coping choice screen
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Who this is for
Families
- Daily emotional check-ins
- Practice when calm (not mid-meltdown)
- Build shared language for feelings
- Support self-awareness at home
- Use as a conversation starter
Educators
- Morning or closing circle tool
- Social-emotional learning supplement
- Individual or small-group practice
- Teach emotional vocabulary
- Support regulation skill-building
Frequently asked questions
Is it a test or quiz?
No. There are no right or wrong answers, no scoring, no grades. The tutor asks questions to guide reflection and practice—not to evaluate. Every child's experience of feelings is valid. The goal is awareness and skill-building, not performance.
Do kids need to talk out loud?
Not necessarily. The tutor can be used silently, with a child thinking through responses internally. Some kids benefit from talking through it with a parent or teacher, while others prefer to process quietly. Both are fine. The important part is the internal practice of noticing, naming, and choosing.
Is this therapy or diagnosis?
No. This is an educational tool for practicing emotional awareness and regulation skills. It's not therapy, mental health treatment, or a diagnostic tool. If a child is struggling with big feelings, trauma, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, please consult a qualified professional. This tutor is a supplement, not a replacement, for professional care.
How often should kids use it?
There's no rule. Some families use it daily as a check-in; others use it when feelings run high or as a calm-down tool. Teachers might use it weekly in circle time. The key is consistency over time—skills build through repeated practice. Even 3 minutes a few times a week can make a difference over months.
Can groups or classrooms use it together?
Yes. The tutor works well in small groups or whole-class settings. A teacher or facilitator can guide the group through a mini-lesson, pausing for kids to share (or not share) their reflections. Group use helps normalize talking about feelings and builds a shared emotional vocabulary. Just be mindful of kids who may not feel safe sharing in front of peers—offering private reflection time is always good practice.
Empathy Kids is an educational tool designed to support social-emotional learning through play and practice. The Emotional Intelligence Tutor is not therapy, mental health treatment, diagnosis, or medical advice. If you have concerns about a child's emotional wellbeing, please consult a qualified professional.
Want a 3-minute practice?
The tutor will be available soon. In the meantime, explore our other games and tools.