How To Help Children Navigate Their Feelings

How To Help Children Navigate Their Feelings

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Ever wonder how your preschooler processes the emotions they feel each day? From joy and excitement to frustration and sadness, young children are just beginning to understand, express, and manage their feelings. This is where you, as a parent, play a vital role in guiding them toward building lifelong emotional skills. 

1. Understand That Feelings Are Normal

Emotions, both good and bad, are a normal part of growing up. However, young children don’t yet have the understanding to explain what they’re going through. This can lead to tantrums or tears, which are their way of saying that they are overwhelmed. Instead of dismissing their feelings, let them know it’s okay to feel upset or angry. A simple “It’s okay to feel this way” reassures them that their emotions are valid.

2. Encourage Healthy Expression

It’s important to show your child that all feelings are acceptable, but not all actions are. For instance, it’s okay to feel angry, but hitting or yelling at someone is not. Teach your child safe ways to express their emotions.

If they’re angry, suggest that they take deep breaths, draw a picture, or stomp their feet to let the anger out. If they’re sad, encourage them to talk about their feelings or hug a favourite stuffed animal.

3. Be a Good Role Model

Children learn by watching their parents. If you handle your own emotions calmly and respectfully, your child will try to do the same. For example, say, “I feel upset because I spilt my coffee, but I’m going to take a deep breath and clean it up.” This shows your child that it’s normal to feel emotions and that there are positive ways to deal with them.

5. Create a Safe Space for Feelings

Children need to know that they can share their feelings without fear of judgment or punishment. Create a safe, open space where your child feels comfortable talking to you.

When your child expresses their feelings, listen without interrupting or trying to fix the problem right away. Sometimes, all they need is for you to say that you are here for them.

6. Teach Problem-Solving Skills

Once your child starts to understand their feelings, guide them in managing them. For instance, if they’re upset about no cookies before dinner help them think of alternatives. You could suggest saving it for after dinner. Teaching problem-solving builds confidence and emotional control.

7. Use Books and Stories

Books and stories are great tools for teaching emotional skills. Many children’s books explore feelings like anger, sadness, and happiness in a way that preschoolers can relate to. Reading stories together gives you a chance to talk about emotions in a relaxed setting. 

8. Praise Their Efforts

Whenever your child tries to express their feelings or manage them in a healthy way, praise them. For example, say, “I’m so proud of you for telling me you were upset instead of yelling.Positive reinforcement encourages them to keep practising these skills.

Conclusion

Learning to navigate feelings is a long process, and preschoolers will have setbacks. Stay patient and support your child with love, patience, and understanding. This way you’re helping them build a strong emotional foundation that will serve them for a lifetime.At Podar Prep Preschool, we follow a structured preschool curriculum designed to nurture emotional intelligence alongside other key developmental skills. Visit your nearest branch to learn more!

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