Social- Emotional development
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Emotional Child Care for Parents
How do we help children identify and express feelings?
Have you ever seen your toddler laugh hysterically when they find something funny, or burst into tears if something makes them feel sad or angry?
Sometimes, they snatch a toy away from another child if they want to play with it or get upset when they want a snack after being told they have to wait until dinnertime.
Kids experience complex feelings just like adults. They get frustrated, excited, nervous, sad, jealous, frightened, worried, angry, and embarrassed, but they may not communicate their feelings verbally because they lack the vocabulary to talk about them. Instead, they may express their emotions through their body, behaviour, and play.
In this Blog you are going to be able to download a free tool can help children learn how to manage their emotions in childhood, leading to positive attitudes and behaviours later in life.
To properly use a free feelings tool, we need to understand the child’s feelings.
Kids can learn the emotional skills they need to identify, express, and manage their feelings from the moment they are born. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers need to show kids how to manage their feelings in positive and constructive ways through their social interactions.
Emotions can change drastically from one moment to the next during the first year of life.
Around the age of 2, toddlers start using words to express how they feel, which leads to fewer tantrums.
At around 3 years old, children begin to understand the emotions they are feeling, and they are more likely to talk about being angry or sad rather than having a meltdown.
However, they may not have much impulse control at this age, so it is the role of parents, guardians, and caregivers to help them learn how to recognize, express, and manage their emotions in a positive and constructive way.
One of the tools you can use to help your child learn to recognize, express, and manage their feelings is the feelings wheel, that you could download here. The goal of this tool is to teach kids to recognize, name, and process their big feelings so that they can react appropriately.
To use the feelings wheel:
first, print the templates, cut out the feeling figures, and laminate them for longer life.
Then, buy and cut Velcro tape and put one piece of tape on the back of each figure and another piece of tape on the wheel.
Once everything is ready, place the wheel and figures in a location where the child spends most of their time and can easily access it.
Remember, this tool is not magical, and it requires constant use to be effective.
Lead by example and start using it yourself to help your child learn to manage their emotions. Every time you experience an emotion, go to the wheel, choose a figure, and place it in the red part of the wheel. Explain to the child how you feel, what led you to feel that way, and what your reaction was. Be a role model for your child, as they learn about feelings and how to express them appropriately by watching others. Show your child how you feel about different situations and how you deal with those feelings. Remember, it’s okay to feel angry or sad.
Encourage your child to use the wheel anytime and ask them questions like “How are you feeling?”, “What happened that made you feel this way?” and “What was your reaction?” Help your child by looking at their body language, listening to what they’re saying, and observing their behaviour, then looking at the figures on the wheel.
Finally, praise your child when they use the wheel, talk about their feelings or express them in an appropriate way. Not only does it show that feelings are normal and it’s okay to talk about them, but it also reinforces the behaviour so they are likely to repeat it. (Hugs, kisses, good job, etc.). Note that every feeling is okay, but not every response is positive, make sure to communicate that.
Over time, you and your child will be able to go to the next level by:
- Identifying the meaning behind the child’s behaviour. You can help your child find other ways to express that feeling once you know what drives the behaviour.
- Name the feeling by giving them a label. Naming feelings is the first step in helping kids learn to identify them. It allows your child to develop an emotional vocabulary so they can talk about their feelings.
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Provide lots of opportunities for your child to identify feelings in others. You might ask your child to reflect on what someone else may be feeling. Cartoons or picture books are a great way to discuss feelings and recognize other people’s feelings.
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Listen to your child’s feelings. Stay present and resist the urge to make your child’s bad feelings go away. Support your child to identify and express their feelings so they are heard. When feelings are minimized or dismissed, they will often be expressed in unhealthy ways.
It’s time to download the templates and Care-emotions with Together child care At Home INC.
At Together Child Care At Home INC, we supporting your child’s emotional intelligence development is crucial for their overall well-being and success in life. By modeling emotional intelligence, encouraging emotional expression, teaching emotional vocabulary, practicing mindfulness, fostering empathy, and celebrating emotional intelligence, you can help your child develop the essential skills they need to manage their emotions effectively and thrive in life.
We know it can be challenging to support your child’s emotional intelligence development, especially if you have a busy schedule or other responsibilities. That’s where Together’s Nannies come in…
Our Nannies are not only experienced in childcare but are also trained in emotional intelligence development. They are prepared to encourage and support your child’s emotional intelligence journey through activities, conversations, and modelling behaviour.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Together’s Nannies can support your child’s emotional intelligence development, we encourage you to contact us today.
Our team will work with you to understand your child’s unique needs and preferences and match you with a Nanny who can provide the support and guidance your child needs to thrive emotionally.
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