5 Quick Steps to Manage Big Emotions in Children
Learning to manage emotions is an important skill for children to develop, as it helps them navigate their feelings and build resilience for future challenges. It also fosters healthy communication and social skills, improving their relationships with those around them. These are five simple steps to help children manage big emotions.
Remind your child that it is never okay to hurt others, whether emotionally or physically.
Have your child take some deep breaths to slow down, or have them count down from a number.
The goal of this practice is to kick-start emotion regulation.
Explain the importance of communication and ask them to express how they feel.
“Use your words to describe how you’re feeling.”
“How did that make you feel? Happy? Sad? Confused?”
Instruct them to ask for help in problem-solving.
“How can I help you in coming up with a solution to that problem?”
Take time to sit with feelings and calm down.
“Do you feel ready to apologize?” “How can we do that?”
Helping children learn to manage their emotions is a crucial aspect of their development. By following these five simple steps, parents and caregivers can teach children how to regulate their emotions, communicate effectively, and build resilience. With practice and patience, children can learn to manage their big emotions in a healthy and productive way, setting them up for success in the future. Teaching children to manage their emotions is an ongoing process and requires consistent effort and support.
By: Shireen Shahidi