5 Ways to Help Your Children Express Their Feelings Appropriately
When your kids were in diapers, they depended on you for everything. They were voiceless and, in many ways, helpless. Your guidance was all that they had to steer them in a direction as they grew up. With time, they’ve become their own people. They handpick their friends, and they gravitate toward certain activities and hobbies. Your influence is still key, but it is no longer the only influence on their lives.
With that said, it takes time to grow into your feelings, and your kiddos will experience many ups and downs as their emotional intelligence begins to take form. When they come to you to talk about their feelings, you’ll want to be prepared.
First we cover some basics about childrens’ emotional development and there communication of emotions. Then we present five ways to help your kids express their feelings. Enjoy !
What are the three phases of a child’s emotional development?
There are three major stages, although there are many diverse hypotheses exist about the development and operation of emotions.
Noticing Emotions: Birth to one.
Emotional expression: two to three.
Emotional control: three to five.
When are kids able to communicate their emotions?
Between 21 and 36 months.
Through verbal and nonverbal communication, children start to express and convey their feelings. Children also start using the techniques they learnt from their caregiver(s) to better control these emotions.
Why are kids unable to communicate their emotions?
When a youngster is sad, one of the reasons they may withdraw is that they are unsure of how to handle the emotion. They lack the knowledge and expertise. There are so many potential responses. They could feel overwhelmed and appear to shut down as a result.
How Do Kids Display Their Emotions?
Children can convey their emotions through play, body language, facial expressions, and behavior. They may occasionally express their emotions physically or in other inappropriate or problematic ways.
Open up to Your Kids
The world of parenting is one that plays the monkey see, monkey do game. As hard as it may be for you to open up to your kids and talk about your own feelings, it’s a beneficial way to connect with them and encourage them to be open about their feelings. Don’t worry – it’s not a sign of weakness. It’s quite the opposite!
Put a Positive Spin on Emotions
It’s common to fall into the trap of associating feelings with negative things. Typical parent quotes like, “Don’t whine so much,” or “Don’t lose your temper,” will actually jade your child’s perception of emotions. Although whining and temper tantrums are less than desirable, they are part of the emotions your kid may be experiencing, so you shouldn’t trivialize them.
Keep Everything in Moderation
If you talk to your kids about feelings all the time, they’ll start to get tired of it. Keep your feeling chats in moderation, and chat with them when they really need to get something off their chest.
Be an Active Listener
When you have little kids, you’re probably used to holding the talking stick. But when you’re trying to be in tune with your kids and their feelings, you should take a step back and actively listen. Show your kids that you’re there for them and that you won’t interrupt them or try to rush them when they talk to you.
Positive Reinforcement
You’ve probably heard about positive reinforcement. In the context of discussing feelings, it means encouraging your kids to talk about their feelings by showing them you’re proud of them for opening up. At the end of a discussion, say something like, “I want to thank you for coming to me about this. It’s really big of you.” Use your own words; just find a way to show them that they’re doing the right thing by talking about their feelings.
Whether it’s playground drama or an adjustment period at school, kids experience all kinds of confusing feelings as they grow up. They look to you for help and guidance, and even if they deny needing your help, you should make sure they know you’ll always be there with wide-open arms.