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Essential emotions pave the foundation for a happy and healthy life. For preschoolers, understanding emotions means being one step ahead in developing emotional intelligence- a perpetual trait that leads to a well-adjusted life. As they begin to grow and develop, everything seems new and sometimes alarming, from feeling anger for the first time to experiencing overjoy, and it’s significant that we take them by their little hands and guide them through these emotional channels.
When it comes to expressing feelings, every child is different.
Some might be quite demonstrative, while others will bottle up their feelings. This blog will help you find strategies to teach your preschooler about emotions.
The first thing we, as parents and caregivers, can do is express and name our feelings.
A simple statement like “Mommy is feeling very happy because she just finished baking a cake,” can provide a practical example for your child. When children can connect words with feelings, they find it easier to express themselves.
Books are a fantastic resource for teaching emotions. Let’s use books with pictures that depict a wide range of emotions. Pause during storytime and ask the child how he or she thinks the character might be feeling and why.
A fun exercise can include creating an ‘Emotion Wheel,’ with cards depicting different emotions.
The cards could represent happiness, sadness, love, hurt, excitement, jealously, disgust, anger, fear, etc. The children can select the cards according to their feelings at different times. Reiteratively discussing feelings regularly can help children feel more comfortable sharing their own.
In times when your children react aggressively due to their emotions, respond sympathetically instead of aggressively.
A comment such as “I understand you’re upset because it’s bedtime, and you want to play more,” acknowledges their feelings, thereby making them feel heard.
Although teaching preschoolers about emotions can seem like a daunting task, it has profound effects on their development. Remember that teaching emotions isn’t a one-day job; instead, it’s an ongoing process: daily experiences consistently offer opportunities to explore emotions further.
If you enjoyed this blog, please take a look at our school’s blog page. There you will find blogs on a wide variety of topics that we believe will be beneficial to you and your family.
Want to learn more about Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Sienna located in Missouri City, Texas? Our mission is to provide secure, nurturing, and educational environments for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. We help children to bloom into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. For more information, give us a call or stop by for a tour! We’d love to get to know you and your family.