Emotions can be hard to handle, especially from a young age when you’re unsure of what each emotion is and how they can be specifically handled. When we’re young children we have to learn to embrace these thoughts and feelings in ways that allow us to make clear actions and move forward from them.
With that in mind, here are some ways you can teach your child to handle a range of different emotions should they arise.
Identify emotions together
When your child is at home, they’ll undoubtedly be experiencing their highs and lows. When emotions arise, work with your child on explaining what they are and how they can be related to different activities. Your child may have fallen over and hurt themselves, for instance, which may cause them to cry. Explain why we cry and how it’s a natural reaction for anyone in pain.
Similarly at school, your child will be exploring different reactions as they age. In most prep schools or nurseries, your child may see an “emotions chart” which will help them understand the groups of feelings they may face.
Give your child the freedom to work things out
When your child is a baby, they tend to look at you for a reaction point. Like if they fall over, or don’t like the feeling or taste of something. Your reaction often decides what they’ll do next – if you’re smiling they’ll tend to continue to go about their business, and the complete opposite for if you’re worried or nervous!
Sometimes they’ll be able to work things out for themselves. Give themselves the chance to pause and think about how they’re reacting.
Give them ways to handle their feelings
Much like understanding a child’s mental health, you should make an effort to give them ways to help them manage overwhelming feelings. Give them a few methods that will help them with their ways to cope with their emotions.
Talk to them regularly to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and focus on those in particular. Remind them of how proud you are of their progress and don’t let them feel like they’re alone in their journey towards understanding their emotions.
In showing your child how to manage their feelings, you’ll find that your child is better equipped to manage the next steps on their own. This improves their confidence, their well-being and even their progress in school, so it’s worth helping your child through this part of their development.
*This is a collaborative post