Perfect for World Emoji Day – Friday 17 July 2026
By BEST Childcare Consulting
World Emoji Day is celebrated annually on 17 July and recognises the role emojis play in modern communication. Created by Emojipedia founder Jeremy Burge in 2014, the date was chosen because the calendar emoji displays 17 July. What began as a fun celebration has become an opportunity to explore communication, emotions, language, diversity and digital citizenship with children.
For early childhood services, World Emoji Day provides a wonderful opportunity to support children’s emotional literacy, social and communication skills, and understanding that people communicate in many different ways. While emojis are commonly used in digital communication, they also help children recognise facial expressions, identify emotions, build empathy and develop their understanding of how feelings can be expressed.
Through playful experiences, educators can use emojis to encourage conversations about kindness, inclusion, friendships, problem-solving and emotional regulation while linking directly to the outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
What is World Emoji Day?
World Emoji Day is an international celebration of emojis and their role in helping people communicate feelings, ideas and experiences. It is celebrated on 17 July each year because the calendar emoji traditionally displays that date. The day encourages creativity, communication and connection while recognising how symbols can help people express themselves across different languages and cultures.
For young children, emojis provide a familiar and engaging way to explore emotions, social interactions and communication. They can be used to support emotional wellbeing, self-awareness and respectful relationships.
Educational Programming Ideas
Emoji Feelings Circle Time
Invite children to select an emoji card that matches how they are feeling today. Encourage discussions about emotions, empathy and recognising feelings in themselves and others.
Resource:
Emoji Emotion Charades
Children choose an emoji card and act out the emotion while others guess which feeling is being represented.
Learning opportunities include:
- Emotional literacy
- Non-verbal communication
- Perspective taking
- Confidence and self-expression
Design Your Own Emoji
Invite children to create a new emoji that represents something important to them.
Examples:
- A friendship emoji
- A caring emoji
- A nature emoji
- A family emoji
Children can explain what their emoji means and why it is important.
Emoji Storytelling
Read a familiar story and ask children to match emojis to characters’ feelings throughout the book.
Questions may include:
- How is the character feeling?
- What emoji would match that feeling?
- What happened to make them feel that way?
Resource:
- Raising Children Network – Helping Children Understand Feelings
Emoji Kindness Wall
Create a kindness display where children add emojis when they notice acts of kindness, friendship or helping behaviours.
Examples:
❤️ Sharing
😊 Helping a friend
🤝 Working together
🌟 Being respectful
Emoji Wellbeing Check-In
Use emoji cards during transitions, rest times or group discussions to help children communicate how they are feeling.
This supports:
- Emotional regulation
- Self-awareness
- Belonging
- Communication skills
Resource:
- Emerging Minds – Supporting Children’s Emotional Development
Digital Communication Discussion
Discuss how people use emojis in messages and online communication.
Explore:
- Being kind online
- Understanding feelings
- Respectful communication
- Digital citizenship
Resource:
QIP write ups
Quality Area 1 – Educational Program and Practice
Embedded Practice
Educators intentionally embedded emotional literacy and communication experiences throughout the program. Emoji-based activities supported children to identify, express and regulate their emotions in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways.
Critical Reflection
The team reflected on how visual communication tools supported children’s understanding of feelings and social interactions. Reflections identified opportunities to further strengthen emotional vocabulary and emotional regulation strategies across the service.
Meaningful Engagement with Families and Community
Families were encouraged to discuss emotions and communication at home using emoji-inspired conversations and activities. Family contributions enriched children’s understanding of the different ways people express feelings and connect with others.
Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety
Embedded Practice
Children participated in regular wellbeing check-ins using emoji prompts to communicate feelings, needs and concerns. Educators used these discussions to proactively support emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Critical Reflection
The team reflected on how children’s ability to recognise and communicate emotions contributed to positive mental health outcomes. Practices were adjusted to ensure all children could confidently express their feelings.
Meaningful Engagement with Families and Community
Families were provided with information and resources about emotional wellbeing and supporting emotional literacy at home. Consistent approaches strengthened children’s confidence and sense of security.
Quality Area 3 – Physical Environment
Embedded Practice
Learning environments incorporated emoji displays, visual communication tools and emotional regulation spaces that supported children’s self-expression and wellbeing.
Critical Reflection
Educators reflected on how the environment encouraged conversations about feelings, friendships and problem-solving. Adjustments were made to ensure resources remained engaging, inclusive and accessible.
Meaningful Engagement with Families and Community
Families contributed ideas and resources that reflected the emotions, experiences and communication styles valued within their homes and communities.
Quality Area 4 – Staffing Arrangements
Embedded Practice
Educators consistently modelled positive communication, emotional awareness and respectful interactions. Team members supported children in recognising emotions and responding empathetically to others.
Critical Reflection
The team reflected on the impact of educator modelling on children’s social and emotional development. Professional discussions focused on strengthening emotional coaching practices and intentional teaching strategies.
Meaningful Engagement with Families and Community
Educators collaborated with families to understand children’s communication preferences and emotional needs, ensuring responsive and consistent support across settings.
Quality Area 5 – Relationships with Children
Embedded Practice
Children were supported to build respectful relationships through activities focused on empathy, communication and understanding emotions. Educators created opportunities for meaningful conversations and social problem-solving.
Critical Reflection
The team reflected on children’s growing ability to identify emotions, resolve conflicts and support peers. Observations informed ongoing planning to strengthen social competence and belonging.
Meaningful Engagement with Families and Community
Families shared insights about children’s emotional development and communication styles. These contributions informed responsive relationship-based practices throughout the service.
Quality Area 6 – Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities
Embedded Practice
The service actively shared resources and ideas that encouraged families to explore emotions, communication and wellbeing together.
Critical Reflection
Educators reflected on family feedback regarding children’s use of emotional language at home. Reflections informed ongoing planning and strengthened family partnerships.
Meaningful Engagement with Families and Community
Families participated in discussions, activities and wellbeing initiatives that supported emotional literacy and respectful communication across home and service environments.
Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership
Embedded Practice
Leadership supported a culture that prioritised children’s wellbeing, emotional development and positive communication. Resources and professional learning opportunities strengthened educator capability.
Critical Reflection
The leadership team reflected on how emotional literacy initiatives aligned with the service philosophy, EYLF outcomes and continuous improvement goals. Data from observations and family feedback informed future planning.
Meaningful Engagement with Families and Community
Leaders fostered collaborative partnerships that promoted children’s wellbeing and emotional development. Community resources and family perspectives contributed to ongoing quality improvement.
Links and Resources
Official World Emoji Day
World Emoji Day Official Website
Emoji Information and History
Be You
Be You Early Childhood Resources
Raising Children Network
Emerging Minds
https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/looking-after-childrens-emotional-wellbeing
eSafety Commissioner
Early Years Online Safety Resources
EYLF v2.0
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/national-approved-learning-frameworks
BEST Childcare Consulting
At BEST – Braig Educational Services and Training, we believe that meaningful learning often begins with the simplest ideas. World Emoji Day reminds us that communication, connection and emotional understanding are essential foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing. By helping children recognise, understand and express emotions, we empower them to build respectful relationships, resilience and confidence.
As always, use these inspirations to lead your service throughout the whole year in your everyday practices to truly earn an exceeding rating.
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