ears
nose
eyes
mouth
sad
happy
ask kindly
invite to play
play togetherSix words: four face parts and two feelings
Start with the face: your child can point to it anywhere, on their own face, on yours or on a teddy. Play a card, point to that part and let your child copy you. Pointing is the first answer; the word can come later.
Happy and sad are the easiest feelings to show, because the mouth does most of the work.
- ears – touch both ears
- eyes – point to both eyes and blink
- nose – tap the tip of your nose
- mouth – open your mouth wide
- happy – give a big smile
- sad – turn the corners of your mouth down
“What has it got?” – “It’s got two ears.”
One question covers all four face words: “What has it got?” The answer starts with “It’s got …”. Here “it’s” is short for “it has”, not “it is”. Your child doesn’t need this rule; it just helps you keep the pattern steady.
Watch the small words. Ears and eyes come in pairs, so they end in “-s”: “two eyes”. A nose and a mouth come one at a time: “a nose”. A colour goes before the face word: “two green eyes”.
Nia What has the puppet got?
Leo It's got two green eyes.
Happy or sad? Asking about feelings
Feelings use “it’s” in its other meaning, “it is”: “It’s happy.” The question swaps the order: “Is it sad?” A nod, a “No” or the right face is a good answer. Point to a feeling card and ask, then let your child point and ask you.
Leo Is it sad?
Nia No. It's happy!
Make a two-faced puppet, then play for five minutes
Many shy children find it easier to speak through a puppet. Draw a happy face on one side of a paper plate and a sad face on the other, and tape a craft stick to the bottom. Name each part as you draw it, “Eyes. Two eyes.”, and let your child choose the colours. Then play at the same time each day:
- Minute 1: play the six cards and point to each part on your own face.
- Minutes 2–3: hold up the puppet and ask “What has it got?” Accept one word (“Nose!”) and say the full sentence back: “Yes, it’s got a nose.”
- Minute 4: turn the puppet round and ask “Is it sad?” or “Is it happy?”
- Minute 5: swap. Your child holds the puppet and asks you. Get one answer wrong on purpose; most children love to correct a grown-up.
Kind words for a sad friend
Once your child can spot a sad face, add a kind step. Turn the puppet to its sad side and ask it, “What’s the matter?” The puppet answers, “I’m sad.” Your child offers, “Would you like to play?” – “Yes, please.” Then turn the puppet to its happy side.
The scene shows your child how to notice a feeling and answer it kindly. If your child just hands the puppet over without a word, say the words for them.
Common mistakes
These slips are normal at this age. Say the right version back instead of correcting:
- “It’s got two eye.”: in many languages the word after a number doesn’t change, but in English two of something takes “-s”: “two eyes”.
- “It’s got nose.”: one nose needs “a”: “It’s got a nose.”
- “Two greens eyes.”: colours never take “-s” in English: “two green eyes”.
- “It’s got happy.”: feelings don’t use “got”: “It’s happy.”
- Mixing up eyes and ears: say both words and point each time, so your child hears how differently they start.
What comes next
When your child describes the puppet without help, use the same face words for the senses: “I can see with my eyes.” The articles below also bring back “Let’s …” invitations and add tidying up after your puppet making.