Using a picture book to evaluate character behaviours is a helpful way to teach social skills and consideration of others. The emotion works cogs provide a useful scaffold for describing the behaviours, exploring motivations and discussing consequences.

In the first half of the story ‘Pom Pom the Champion’, Pom Pom likes winning anything and everything and is an excellent example of a bad winner. In the second half of the book, Pom Pom doesn’t win any more and becomes a bad loser. The ending has a version of the traditional message: it’s not about the winning, it’s the taking part (and being with friends) that counts.

Using the book to develop Emotion Works vocabulary:

There are lots of word learning opportunities linked to each cog within the text or in the illustrations (for example – behaviours: shouting “I’m the winner”, running off  /  regulation strategies: being told to “shhhhh”, friends ask him to play a different game). A selection of ready made symbols may also be supplied, or having the symbol book to hand can allow the child to ‘read’ and name the symbols, and increase their use of new and consolidating vocabulary.

The dry wipe component cards may simply be used to structure the conversation, and to help the adult remember to explore vocabulary and understanding across the different cog concepts. In this case, the adult scribes or draws on the cards, or symbols are selected and placed by the child.

Using the story line to develop Emotion Works understanding and to make links between the cogs:

Some younger children may be starting to develop an understanding of what the cog cards and symbols represent, and may be able to take a more active part in drawing, writing and linking up the cogs to retell the story.

The main image represents a learning conversation involving words and cog links relating to Pom Pom winning lots of things.

The image below represents a learning conversation involving words and cog links after Pom Pom loses.