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Understanding sadness as a natural emotion and learning it is okay to cry or feel down.
Have you ever felt like a little rainy cloud was following you around, even when the sun was out? That feeling is called sadness, and everyone feels it sometimes!
Sadness is a feeling we get when something happens that makes us feel unhappy or hurt. It might happen if a toy breaks, if we miss someone, or if we get a boo-boo. When we are sad, our bodies show it! You might have a frown on your face, or your eyes might feel heavy. Some people get very quiet and want to be alone. Others might feel a little bit tired. It is like your body is telling you it needs a break. Just like the weather changes from sunny to rainy, our feelings change too. There are wrong ways to feel!
Let's see what sadness looks like: 1. Look in a mirror. 2. Pull the corners of your mouth down into a frown. 3. Notice how your eyebrows might go down too. 4. This is one way our faces tell others we feel sad.
Quick Check
What is one way your face might look when you feel sad?
Answer
You might have a frown or tears in your eyes.
Did you know that crying is actually a superpower? When we feel very sad, our bodies sometimes let out tears. This is a way for our bodies to let the sadness out so we can start to feel better later. You might think you have to be 'brave' and hide your feelings, but being brave actually means showing how you really feel. It is normal and okay to feel down sometimes. Even grown-ups feel sad! It doesn't mean anything is wrong; it just means you have a big heart. If person cries, it is just their body's way of saying, 'I need a hug.'
Think of a cloud in the sky: 1. Imagine a cloud gets too full of heavy water. 2. It has to rain to get light and fluffy again. 3. After the rain, the sun can come back out. Crying is just like that rain!
Quick Check
Is it okay for grown-ups to feel sad and cry too?
Answer
Yes, everyone feels sad sometimes, even adults.
When we feel sad, we do not have to stay that way all by ourselves. Talking to a Safe Person can help the 'rainy cloud' go away. A Safe Person is a grown-up who listens to you and gives you kind words. This could be a parent, a teacher, or a grandparent. When you tell someone, 'I feel sad,' it is like sharing a heavy backpack with a friend—it makes the load much lighter for you to carry. You only need person to listen to help you feel better.
Imagine you lose your favorite drawing at school: 1. You feel a lump in your throat and want to cry. 2. You find your teacher, who is a Safe Person. 3. You say, 'I am sad because I lost my picture.' 4. Your teacher gives you a kind word, and you feel a little better.
Which of these is a sign that someone might be feeling sad?
What should you do if you feel very sad at school?
It is okay to cry when you are feeling down.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow, try to remember the name of one Safe Person you can talk to if you ever feel like a rainy cloud is over your head.
Practice Activity
Draw a picture of what your 'happy sun' looks like after the 'sad rain' goes away.