Emotions!
by Sarah Leitschuh, MA, LMFT
We all have emotions. It is never too early or too late for us to start talking about emotions with children. This article will explore why it is important to help children learn to identify, share and cope with their emotions as well as providing a few strategies that may be helpful in doing so.
Why is it important to teach children about emotions?
•Knowledge of emotions lets children know that their experience of emotions is normal.
•Children who are able to talk about and cope with their emotions feel more in control and competent.
•Children who have an understanding of emotions are better able to communicate, solve problems and resolve conflict.
•Children who have strategies to share and cope with their emotions in effective ways are less likely to have behavioral outbursts.
•Children who have an awareness of their own emotions are able to recognize others’ emotions and are better able to demonstrate empathy for others.
How can we help children learn about emotions?
It is important to help children learn words that they can use to describe their emotions and to teach them a variety of ways to share and cope with their emotions in healthy ways. Here are some easy ways to help children of all ages identify, share and cope with their emotions:
•Incorporate discussion about emotions into your normal family conversations and routine. Remember, children learn by listening to and watching the adults in their lives.
•Offer empathy for your child and others in your lives. Point out times when you notice an emotion that someone else may be having and the clues that gave you that indication.
•Share your own emotions with your child, without putting a burden on your child. Also, share coping strategies that have been effective for you in coping with your emotions, if they are appropriate for your child to try.
•Incorporate discussion about emotions into your reading routine. Talk about how different characters may be feeling. There are many books that are specifically written about feelings. A link to a list of books focused on emotions can be found at the end of this article.
•Create opportunities to explore emotions based on the types of activities your child is interested in. Consider activities such as puppet play, art projects, creating songs and more.
Link to find suggested children’s books about emotions:
http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/social-emotional-development/books-that-support-social-emotional-skills.html
http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/social-emotional-development/books-that-support-social-emotional-skills.html
Sarah offers counseling for children, adolescents and families at her Burnsville office.
For more information please visit www.sarahleitschuhcounseling.com.
For more information please visit www.sarahleitschuhcounseling.com.
