Teaching Emotional Vocabulary in Classrooms: Why It Matters

Helping children identify and express their emotions is a cornerstone of both academic and social development. At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, emotional literacy is part of our daily learning routine—especially for children with autism, ADHD, and other developmental needs. Teaching children to recognize emotions like “happy,” “angry,” “nervous,” or “excited” can significantly improve their behavior, communication, and self-awareness.

Children who struggle to verbalize their feelings are more likely to act out or withdraw. By explicitly teaching emotional vocabulary, educators give students the tools they need to express themselves in healthy, constructive ways.

Visual Supports for Emotional Understanding

Many children with autism or speech and language delays benefit from visual tools. At OrbRom Center, we use evidence-based materials like emotion charts, picture cards, and “feelings boards” to teach children how to identify what they are feeling.

These tools are especially effective because they reduce the cognitive load—children don’t have to guess or search for words. Instead, they can simply point to a face that reflects their emotional state. This builds confidence and reduces frustration during moments of distress.

Emotional Vocabulary and Classroom Success

Teaching emotional vocabulary doesn’t just make children more expressive—it supports the entire classroom. Children who understand emotions are better at self-regulating, cooperating with peers, and transitioning between activities.

For example, a child who can say “I feel nervous” before a group activity is more likely to receive the support they need from the teacher, rather than experiencing a meltdown. This proactive communication strengthens the student-teacher relationship and creates a more inclusive classroom.

Integrated into Everyday Learning

At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, emotional vocabulary is not a separate subject—it’s integrated into circle time, story time, therapy sessions, and play. Our special education team models emotional expression and reinforces it through visuals and role-play.

Parents are also guided on how to use the same language and visuals at home to build consistency and support emotional growth beyond the classroom.

Ready to help your child develop their emotional vocabulary in a supportive, structured environment?

Explore our Special Needs Intensive Intervention program.