The Badge Archive

Body Language Reflection

Activity Description: Scouts use body language to act out emotions and reflect on which feelings were easier or harder to show without speaking.

  • Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Me Time badge requirements.

Info Needed: Scouts practice identifying and expressing emotions through body language. They try out simple movements and reflect on which feelings were easier or harder to show without speaking.

Items Needed:

  • Emotion Movement Samples (printed list)
  • Body Language Prompts (printed list)
  • Pencil or crayon
  • Optional: drawing paper or reflection sheet

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20–30 minutes):

  1. Try the Feeling Movements (5–7 minutes)
    • Read the Emotion Movement Samples list
    • One at a time, try each movement using body language, no words. You don’t need to talk, just move and express.
  2. Act Out the Body Language Prompts (10–12 minutes)
    • Read the Body Language Prompts list
    • For each one, choose a feeling it might match and act it out
      • Example: “Waving to someone you know” could be happy or excited
      • Try using posture, hands, face, and feet to show the idea
    • Use what you learned from the first part to help you decide what emotion fits
  3. Think About What Was Easy or Tricky (5–8 minutes)
    • Circle or mark the body language prompts that were easy to show
    • Put a star or “?” next to ones that were hard
    • Optional reflection questions:
      • Which movement made you feel strong?
      • Which one was hardest to show without talking?
      • How does your body help people understand your feelings?

Samples of Movements for Emotions

  • Feeling proud — stand tall with hands on hips and a smile
  • Being shy — glance down, tuck chin, and gently fold arms
  • Feeling excited — bounce on toes and wave arms
  • Feeling relaxed — stretch arms slowly and sigh softly
  • Feeling curious — tilt head and lean forward slightly
  • Feeling confident — walk with strong posture and focused eyes
  • Being playful — wiggle shoulders or dance in place
  • Feeling sleepy — yawn and rub eyes
  • Feeling surprised — open eyes wide and gasp silently
  • Feeling brave — take a step forward and make a bold pose
  • Feeling frustrated — cross arms and scrunch face
  • Feeling silly — make a funny pose with giggles or wiggles
  • Feeling joyful — jump and throw hands up like celebrating
  • Feeling calm — sit cross-legged with a soft smile and slow breathing
  • Feeling unsure — shift feet and look side to side quietly

Sample Body Language Prompts:

  • Excited to go somewhere
  • Happy with a play you just saw
  • You just go joyful news
  • Reaching out for help
  • Waving to someone you know
  • Deep in thought
  • You agree with someone
  • Sitting calmly and peacefully
  • Feeling silly
  • Looking nervous before a big moment
  • Showing surprise
  • Feeling confident
  • Listening closely
  • Feeling shy
  • Stretching to relax
  • Dancing with happiness
  • Feeling brave
  • Showing frustration
  • Feeling playful
  • Acting shy when meeting someone new
  • Soothing someone to sleep
  • Being quiet
  • Late at night when you are tired
  • Regretting something you said
  • Receiving a great gift
  • Trying not to laugh
  • Curious about something
  • Disagree with someone
  • Bored and alone
  • Marching up to get an award
  • Crossing the street safely
  • Swaying calmly side to side
Tia Kennard