| Imagine finding yourself in a foreign country where you | | | | emotional language that you can both understand. |
| didn't speak the language. Navigating your way through | | | | * Be An Emotional Container. Keep your own feelings |
| an unknown city without the ability to express what it | | | | in check. Do not meet a child's emotional reaction with |
| is you want or need would be extremely frustrating. A | | | | your own bigger emotional reaction--this will only |
| child without the ability to express their feelings is in a | | | | shame and scare the child. So, take a deep breath and |
| similar position. Feelings are always changing. For a | | | | keep your cool. Children need to feel that you can |
| developing child this experience can be confusing and | | | | tolerate their feelings, no matter how big they may be. |
| overwhelming. When a child (or an adult for that | | | | *Have A "Talkaboutit." Schedule a consistent time on a |
| matter) is overcome with emotion, it is often very | | | | daily or weekly basis to sit with your child and talk. |
| difficult to find the language to express the experience. | | | | Maybe even designate a special chair or create a |
| By helping a child to identify, understand and express | | | | space together-a space set aside exclusively to |
| his or her feelings, they will be better equipped to | | | | check in with how your child is feeling. Children need to |
| handle the emotional rollercoaster of childhood and | | | | feel that you are reliable and open to listening to their |
| beyond. | | | | feelings. |
| * Provide An Emotional Mirror. Emotional reflection is | | | | *Normalize Feelings. Telling a child that what they are |
| essential to help children understand their feelings. | | | | feeling is a normal and understandable reaction will help |
| Saying, "I know that you are feeling mad right now" or | | | | to decrease any feelings of shame. Let your child |
| "I can see that you are feeling frustrated" will help a | | | | know that feelings are always changing, and that they |
| child to feel understood, and will help the child to better | | | | won't feel sad and angry forever. Everyone feels sad |
| identify what they are experiencing. | | | | or angry sometimes...even adults! |
| * Put Words To Feelings. Temper tantrums occur | | | | *Encourage Creative Expression. Work creatively with |
| when a child is overwhelmed by many different | | | | your child to find ways of expressing feeling. Sit with |
| emotions all at the same time. Contain your child's | | | | your child as they draw a picture of how they are |
| feelings by teaching them words they can use to | | | | feeling, or use toys or puppets to help open an |
| describe their feelings such as, mad, sad, disappointed | | | | emotional dialogue. Ask questions and express interest |
| and scared. You could even create new words | | | | in their creations. |
| together to describe complex feelings, and develop an | | | | |