How to Help My Child Learn About Emotions 

Several emotions and feelings are still strange and new to your child. As a result, your child might feel extremely uncomfortable or get confused. In addition, your child might find it hard to cope with or process their emotions properly. 

To help your child better process their emotions and understand their feelings, here are some helpful strategies you can apply as a parent: 

• Create a safe and open environment. This way, your child will feel comfortable expressing their emotions. Encourage them to talk about their feelings, listen actively and validate their experiences. Avoid dismissing or minimizing their emotions, as this may discourage them from sharing in the future. 
• Teach emotional vocabulary. Introduce a wide range of emotions and their corresponding vocabulary to your child. Use simple and age-appropriate language to help them label and identify different emotions. Encourage them to express how they feel using words rather than acting out physically or engaging in negative behaviours. 
• Be a role model. Model healthy emotional expression and regulation in your own behaviour. Children learn a great deal from observing how adults handle their emotions. Show them how to manage anger, sadness, or frustration in a constructive manner. This can include taking deep breaths, using positive self-talk or engaging in calming activities. 
• Help your child develop empathy. Encourage them to consider others’ feelings and perspectives. Teach them to understand that different people may feel differently in various situations. This promotes emotional awareness, understanding and helps them develop healthy relationships with others. 
• Teach your child problem-solving techniques. This is to help them address challenging emotions or situations. Help them identify the problem, brainstorm potential solutions, evaluate the pros and cons and choose the most appropriate course of action. This empowers them to take an active role in managing their feelings and finding constructive solutions. 
• Engage in creative outlets. Encourage your child to express their emotions through creative outlets such as drawing, painting, writing, or storytelling. These activities provide a healthy and constructive means of processing and exploring their feelings. 
• Seek professional help if needed. If you notice persistent emotional difficulties or challenges that significantly impact your child’s well-being, consider seeking support from a child psychologist or mental health professional who specialises in children’s emotional development. 

Remember that teaching children about emotions and coping strategies is an ongoing process. Be patient, provide consistent support and celebrate their progress. By nurturing their emotional intelligence, you are equipping them with valuable skills to navigate life’s challenges and foster healthy emotional well-being. 

Our approach 

Here at Footsteps Early Learning Centre, we help nurture the children’s emotional intelligence through consistent monitoring and support. Our approach has always been on helping children create a strong sense of self while also supporting them on reaching their major developmental milestones.