What Is Making Inferences About Feelings?
Making inferences about feelings means using clues from the story, such as what characters do, say, or how they look, to figure out how they feel, even when the author does not say it directly.
Examples:
- A boy jumps up and down, clapping his hands. We can infer he feels excited.
- A girl’s shoulders droop, and she wipes her eyes. We can infer she feels sad.
- A child stomps away with crossed arms. We can infer they feel angry.
Remember!
Feelings are often shown through actions, expressions, and tone—not just words.
Why Learn to Infer Feelings?
Understanding how characters feel helps readers connect with the story and understand the meaning better. It also builds empathy and improves comprehension.
How it helps:
- Makes stories more interesting and meaningful.
- Helps predict what might happen next.
- Improves speaking and writing by using feeling words correctly.
Tip
Always ask yourself, “How might the character feel right now?” while reading.
How to Infer Feelings
To infer feelings, pay attention to the details in the text and pictures, then think about what those clues mean.
Steps to follow:
- Look at what the character says or does.
- Notice facial expressions, body language, or voice tone.
- Think about what feeling matches those clues.
Keep in Mind
Sometimes, you will need more than one clue to make a good inference.
Common Feelings to Recognize
These feelings often appear in stories and are shown in different ways.
Examples of feelings and clues:
- Happy: Smiling, laughing, jumping.
- Sad: Crying, frowning, quiet voice.
- Scared: Wide eyes, hiding, shaking.
- Angry: Frowning, stomping, loud voice.
Helpful Hint
Make a feelings chart to remember what actions match each feeling.
Common Challenges in Inferring Feelings
Sometimes, clues can be tricky or can show more than one possible feeling.
Challenges:
- Characters might hide their feelings.
- One clue might match more than one feeling.
- Not noticing small details in the text or pictures.
Helpful Hint
Use more than one clue before deciding how a character feels.
Fun Ways to Practice Inferring Feelings
1. Feelings Charades
Act out a feeling without saying the word. Others guess the feeling.
2. Picture Clues
Look at a picture from a story and guess the feeling based on expressions.
3. Story Pause
Stop while reading a story and predict the feeling before continuing.
Example activity:
- "The puppy runs to Mia, wagging its tail. How does Mia feel?" (Answer: happy)
Keep It Fun
Games, pictures, and acting keep children interested and help them remember.
Key Terms to Know
- Inference: A smart guess based on clues and what you already know.
- Clues: Details that help you figure out something not directly stated.
- Expression: The way a face shows feelings.
- Body Language: Movements or posture that show feelings.
Keep This in Mind
Knowing these terms makes it easier to talk about and understand feelings in stories.
Tips for Success
- Look for at least two clues before deciding on a feeling.
- Think about what might cause that feeling in real life.
- Practice with short stories, then move to longer texts.
- Use picture books to connect expressions to emotions.
Final Thought
Inferring feelings helps readers understand stories deeply and enjoy them more.