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The 'Show the emotion' game

Time: 10 min Checked: 10 August 2026 Autism

Goal

Develop recognizing and naming basic emotions — their own and others'.

What you need

A mirror · Face pictures or just your faces

How to do it

  1. Sit with your child in front of a mirror.
  2. Show a simple emotion: smile — 'Happy!'
  3. Invite the child to copy you; help gently if needed — no pressure.
  4. Go through 3–4 emotions: happy, sad, angry, surprised.
  5. During the day, notice emotions in real life: 'Look, the boy is laughing — he's happy.'
How to know it worked:The child copies at least one emotion or points to the right picture on request.

Source: Play-based emotional literacy for autistic children; National Autistic Society guidance