Emotions in Spanish for Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Feelings at Home

Helping your child learn emotions in Spanish is one of the fastest ways to build real, meaningful conversations without needing fluency yourself. 

Start with simple phrases like "Estoy feliz" or "Tengo miedo" and watch your child begin to connect language with real-life feelings.

Whether you're homeschooling, navigating a multicultural home, or simply looking for ways to teach your kids emotional intelligence in two languages, this guide has you covered. 

We'll walk you through which emotions to teach first, how Spanish grammar affects emotional vocabulary, and why "estar," "sentirse," and "tener" are your new best friends.

As a homeschool mom myself, I know how overwhelming it feels to want your child to speak another language but not know where to begin. That's why I created Homeschool Languages: to make emotional fluency in Spanish easy, open-and-go, and actually fun even if you're not fluent.

Want the full breakdown? Keep reading for everything you need to teach emotions in Spanish at home with confidence and joy.

Why Teach Emotions in Spanish First?

If you're wondering where to begin when introducing Spanish at home, let me save you hours of second-guessing: start with emotions. There's no faster way to make the language stick or to actually use it than by helping your child say how they feel.

Emotions Are the Heart of Real Communication

Kids don't walk around narrating colors or counting apples. But they do say things like "I'm happy," "I'm tired," or "I'm scared."

Emotional vocabulary instantly opens the door to real, everyday conversation often with the words they're already using in English.

Easy to Connect with Daily Routines

Morning check-ins? Bedtime chats? Mid-meltdown negotiations?

These are goldmines for practicing phrases like:

• "¿Cómo te sientes?" (How do you feel?)

• "Estoy enojado." (I'm angry.)

• "Tengo miedo." (I'm scared.)

Your day is already full of emotions. 

Now you're giving them a second language to express them in.

Builds Emotional Intelligence and Language Skills at Once

When kids learn to name their emotions in Spanish, they're not only expanding vocabulary. They're building self-awareness, empathy, and confidence.

It's social-emotional learning and bilingual education in one.

Here's a bonus: emotions are often universal. Facial expressions, body language, and tone help reinforce what the word means so even non-readers can participate.

Research from Harvard's Center on the Developing Child shows that children's emotional development is built into their brain architecture, making early emotional vocabulary in any language a powerful foundation for lifelong learning.

A Practical First Step Toward Real-Life Fluency

Unlike abstract vocabulary or grammar drills, emotions have context. They're personal. Relatable. Memorable.

Teaching your child "estoy feliz" goes beyond another vocab word. It's giving them the power to connect, express, and be understood in a new language.

International research from UNESCO demonstrates that children learn best when they can connect new language skills to their existing emotional and cultural knowledge.

If you want Spanish to become a living, breathing part of your child's life, start where they feel it most.

Who This Article Is For (And Why It Matters)

Not every family is starting from the same place. Some are chasing fluency. Others want a few meaningful phrases that actually stick.

But one thing unites us all: we want our kids to feel safe, seen, and able to express themselves in Spanish.

Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or someone googling "how to start Spanish with my kids" during nap time, this guide is for you.

Homeschooling Parents

You want your child to grow up bilingual, emotionally articulate, and globally aware all from home. But let's be honest: you also need something that works without hours of prep or a dusty binder of vocab lists.

Start with emotions to create short, repeatable conversations like "¿Cómo te sientes?" that naturally fit into your daily rhythm.

Multilingual or Multicultural Families

You're not only teaching words. You're passing down a part of your child's identity.

Whether your family has Spanish-speaking relatives, cultural traditions, or heritage you want to preserve, emotions are a powerful starting point.

Saying "Estoy orgulloso" (I'm proud) in the language of your abuela? That's connection on a whole new level.

Parents of Kids in Speech or Emotional Development Stages

For toddlers, late talkers, or neurodivergent kids, emotions can be tough to navigate even in their first language. Spanish can feel like a fresh start, offering tools for both expression and regulation.

Phrases like "Estoy triste" and "Tengo miedo" give your child language for what they're already feeling. That's huge.

For families with toddlers or younger children, our complete guide on teaching Spanish to toddlers offers age-appropriate strategies that work beautifully with emotional vocabulary.

Parents Focused on Emotional Literacy

You've probably already said things like "use your words" or "how do you feel right now?" at home. Now imagine doing that in Spanish, too.

Emotional vocabulary is one of the easiest bridges between SEL (social-emotional learning) and bilingualism.

Spanish becomes part of your child's emotional toolkit, not another subject.

Educators and Therapists Working with Kids

You're looking for simple, inclusive, and meaningful ways to teach emotions in Spanish without overwhelming your learners.

Core verbs like "estar" and "tener" paired with expressions like "Estoy enojado" or "Tengo hambre" can help reinforce SEL themes through real communication.

No matter which category fits you best or if you're somewhere in between, this article will walk you through exactly how to get started teaching emotions in Spanish in a way that actually works.

Basic Emotions in Spanish Every Kid Should Know

Let's keep it simple: if your child can name how they feel in Spanish, they're already using the language like a native speaker would.

Here are six of the most common emotions to start with. These are the ones you'll hear (and say) every day at snack time, bedtime, or during a sibling squabble:

Spanish	English
Feliz	Happy
Triste	Sad
Enojado/a	Angry
Asustado/a	Scared
Cansado/a	Tired
Emocionado/a	Excited

These words are a perfect fit for flashcards, feelings charts, and breakfast-time check-ins. Ask: "¿Cómo te sientes hoy?" and let your child point, answer, or even sing it out!

If you want to expand beyond emotions, check out our guide to easy Spanish words for kids that your child will actually use in daily life.

Emotions vs. Feelings: Is There a Difference in Spanish?

This might sound technical, but it's actually a huge win for your teaching strategy.

Emotions = Fast + Instinctive

Think: joy, fear, anger. They come on quickly and fade.

Feelings = Processed + Lingering

Think: contentment, anxiety, calm. They stick around a bit longer.

So why does this matter when teaching Spanish? Because Spanish uses different verbs depending on the structure. Here's what to know:

Use estar or sentirse for most emotions:

• Estoy feliz = I'm happy

• Me siento triste = I feel sad

These verbs are tied to temporary feelings. Exactly what your child will use most.

Use tener with noun-based feelings:

• Tengo miedo = I'm scared

• Tengo sueño = I'm sleepy

• Tengo hambre = I'm hungry

Tener + noun literally means "to have fear/sleepiness/hunger." This might sound odd in English, but it's perfectly normal in Spanish.

What verbs express emotions in Spanish?

The answer? 

✔️ Estar 

✔️ Sentirse 

✔️ Tener

If that's all you remember, you're golden. These three verbs open the door to almost every emotional conversation you'll have with your child in Spanish.

When you give your child tools to say how they feel, you're doing something beyond teaching vocabulary. 

You're creating safety, connection, and confidence in two languages.

The Grammar Behind Emotion Words (Made Kid-Friendly)

So here's the part that usually makes parents nervous: grammar. But don't worry. I'll walk you through it as simply as I teach my own kids.

What tense do we use when talking about emotions?

Present tense, plain and simple. That's because your child is saying how they feel right now.

• Estoy feliz = I'm happy

• Me siento triste = I feel sad

But there's one extra detail you need to know...

Gender and Number Agreement (Yes, It Matters)

In Spanish, emotion words change based on who is feeling the emotion.

• Estoy enojado (I'm angry if you're a boy)

• Estoy enojada (I'm angry if you're a girl)

The same goes for plurals:

• Estamos cansados = We're tired (group of boys or mixed group)

• Estamos cansadas = We're tired (group of girls)

Sounds tricky? Not if you introduce it early using characters or toys. I like to hold up two stuffed animals and say:

• "Este es un niño. Él dice: 'Estoy enojado.'"

• "Esta es una niña. Ella dice: 'Estoy enojada.'"

Start with five core emotions and stick with the same sentence pattern ("Estoy..." or "Tengo...") until your child is super comfortable. Build from there.

How to Teach Emotions in Spanish at Home

Now for the fun part. This is where your kids light up and where Spanish starts to feel natural.

1. Use Songs and Movement

Kids don't need to "study" emotions. They need to feel them.

Try classics like "Si estás feliz y lo sabes..." and swap in different emotions with matching actions (stomp for anger, hug for sadness, jump for excitement!).

2. Play Emotional Charades

Act out emotions and let your kids guess in Spanish.

You'll be surprised how fast they learn "triste," "cansado," or "emocionado" when giggles are involved.

3. Daily Check-ins

Make "¿Cómo te sientes hoy?" part of your morning or bedtime routine.

Use printable charts or simple drawings to help younger kids choose and say how they feel.

This turns Spanish into something they live, not something they memorize.

4. Visual Cues (Flashcards + Posters)

Montessori-style tools work wonders. Look for posters that show diverse, expressive faces.

Or better yet, let your kids make their own with drawings or cut-out photos.

Having emotion words visible in your home means your kids see Spanish every day, without even trying.

5. Use Puppets or Toys

Designate one puppet who only speaks Spanish. (Trust me: they'll talk to that puppet way beyond you.)

Give the puppet emotions, stories, and feelings. This safe, silly outlet lets kids practice phrases like "Estoy triste" or "Tengo miedo" without pressure.

When emotions become part of play, Spanish becomes part of life. And that's where the real magic happens.

Worries You Might Have (Totally Valid, By the Way)

You've probably had a few of these thoughts late at night (or in the middle of a homeschool meltdown). I've been there too. So let's talk about them head-on.

"What if I mess up the grammar?"

You will. And that's okay!

What matters is consistency, not perfection. But to help you feel confident, I recommend using tools that are fully scripted so you're never guessing what to say or how to say it.

"Will my child connect with me emotionally if I speak Spanish?"

Maybe not right away, and that's normal. The connection doesn't come from the language itself.

It comes from how you use it. 

When Spanish becomes part of your daily emotional check-ins, bedtime talks, and giggle-filled games, the connection grows naturally.

"Are there diverse emotion tools out there?"

Most emotion cards and posters out there still miss the mark when it comes to cultural representation. That's one reason Homeschool Languages was born: to offer emotion-rich tools that reflect real families and real kids like yours.

You've got the questions. You've had doubts.

Now let's talk about what really works and why you don't have to do this alone.

Why DIY May Fail You (And Why Homeschool Languages Works)

If you've already tried printing random worksheets or downloading "Spanish for kids" apps, you've probably felt that familiar frustration: Nothing sticks.

The Truth About DIY

• Flashcards and apps feel disconnected from your actual life.

• You forget to follow through without a plan.

• Your child memorizes a word, but can't use it when they feel something.

• You start strong... and then burn out.

I know this because I did it all. I pieced together songs, books, Pinterest boards, YouTube videos, hoping it would magically turn into fluency.

It didn't.

Why Homeschool Languages Actually Works

That's why I created Homeschool Languages. The program I wished existed when I started teaching Spanish to my own four kids.

• Fully-scripted lessons that tell you exactly what to say (yes, even if you're not fluent).

• Lessons built around real conversations like, "How are you feeling today?"

• Songs, stories, visuals, and repetition that actually works.

• Emotion words tied to your real routines, not random vocab lists.

• Everything is low-prep, play-based, and designed to make your child respond in Spanish from day one.

You don't need fancy tech. You don't need to master Spanish grammar.

You need the right tools and a few minutes a day.

If you prefer starting immediately, our digital Spanish curriculum gives you instant access to everything you need, including emotion-focused activities you can print today.

Get Started with Emotions in Spanish The Right Way

Want your child to confidently say "I'm scared," "I'm proud," or "I'm happy" in Spanish?

You don't need to be fluent. You need a roadmap.

Ready to move beyond individual words? Our Spanish Level 1 Curriculum includes scripted emotion-based lessons that make teaching Spanish feel natural and effective.

Homeschool Languages gives you everything in one box: 

✅ Step-by-step lessons 

✅ Real-life phrases + emotion-based activities 

✅ Beautiful, tangible tools that bring Spanish into your everyday life

📦 No clutter. No subscriptions. One joyful, effective way to help your child speak from the heart.

Spanish doesn't have to be academic. It can be playful, personal, and powerful.

Transform your home into a bilingual space where emotions and connections flourish. Explore our complete Homeschool Languages curriculum and give your child the gift of bilingual emotional fluency.

Frequently Asked Questions Parents Are Asking

Teaching emotions in Spanish can feel intimidating, especially if you're not fluent. But the good news? Your questions are exactly the right ones to be asking.

Can a child process emotions equally in both languages?

They can, but sometimes, they don't. Emotional expression might feel more "natural" in one language depending on how it was introduced.

That's totally normal! The goal isn't perfection. It's giving them the option to express themselves authentically in Spanish or English.

Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics confirms that children can successfully develop emotional expression in multiple languages without harmful effects.

Is it harmful to teach emotions in Spanish if I'm not fluent?

Nope. Not at all.

But here's the catch: if you try to wing it or rely on Google Translate, you'll feel frustrated, and so will your child. That's why I built Homeschool Languages with fully scripted lessons. 

You don't have to guess. You follow along and learn together.

A comprehensive study published in the National Institutes of Health database found that bilingual children show comparable or enhanced emotion understanding compared to monolingual peers.

How do I deal with slang or regional variations?

This one's easy: stick to neutral, high-frequency phrases. "Estoy feliz," "Tengo miedo," and "¿Cómo te sientes?" are used across Spanish-speaking cultures.

Once your child has a foundation, you can explore regional flavors together if you want.

What if my child won't speak back in Spanish?

First off, totally normal. Kids go through "silent periods" even in their first language.

The key is to create safe, playful moments where Spanish feels useful, not forced. Try using a puppet who only speaks Spanish, or act out a silly "angry monster" skit. It works!