Each child has a different way of entering and leaving the room. Some want a hug, a fist bump, a handshake, or nothing (and that's okay!).
 
 
 
This activity allows children and teenagers to choose how they want to be greeted and express their emotions in a simple and intuitive way.
 
 
 
Objectives:
 
 
 
Respect the space and individuality of each child.
 
 
Create a more welcoming environment.
 
 
Allow them to express their feelings without having to speak.
 
 
Help facilitators identify who may need more attention.
 
 
 
 
Step 1 - HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE GREETED TODAY?
 
Before entering In the room, each child chooses how they want to be greeted, pointing to a poster with the options:
 
💥 Hero Mode – Firm handshake
🐻 Bear Mode – Tight hug
😎 Cool Mode – Stylish fist bump
👋 Polite Mode – Wave from afar
👻 Ghost Mode – Walk straight past and pretend you didn't see
 
 
 
Step 2 - Entrance: HOW AM I NOW?
 
Upon entering, the child will find 5 jars with ribbons, each with a color and a label representing an emotional state.
 
 
 
Each child You should take a ribbon and put it on your wrist or keep it with you.
 
🟢 Very happy, excited
🟡 Happy, excited, calm
🔴 Agitated, worried, stressed
🔵 Tired, without energy
⚫ Sad, discouraged
 
 
 
Step 3 - Exit: HOW AM I LEAVING?
 
Before leaving, the child can choose their greeting again. 
 
Then, they should return their ribbon to the jar that represents how they are feeling at that moment. 
 
 
 
TIP: Empty the jars afterwards that all the children choose their ribbons. This way, it will be possible to track how many had a change in emotion at the end of the activity.
 
🔹 If the mood changed, the ribbon will be returned in a different jar.
🔹 If it remained the same, it will be in the same jar.
 
 
 
This helps to see who improved, who stayed the same, and who may need more support.
 
 
 
📌 Download the PDF file now and apply this idea in your class!