Let’s Talk Parenting: Emotional Regulation
Family Centre
As parents, we want our children to grow up happy, healthy, and capable of managing their emotions. From the ages 3 to 6, kids are like little sponges, absorbing everything around them, including how to express and regulate their feelings. Here’s a guide to help foster emotional regulations during these crucial years.
Understanding Emotional Regulation
What is Emotional Regulation?
Emotional regulation refers to the ability to effectively manage and respond to our emotions, a process often referred to as emotional self-regulation. Each day, we experience a wide range of emotions—such as happiness, sadness, anger, and disappointment—all of which are shaped by our thoughts, feelings, and environmental factors.
Understanding Children’s Emotions
Children often experience emotions more intensely than adults. But why is this generally the case? Due to their limited life experiences, children frequently interpret situations through an all-or-nothing mindset or in black-and-white terms. This cognitive tendency results in stronger, more polarized emotions, leading to feelings that are either entirely positive or negative, in contrast to the more nuanced emotional responses that adults typically exhibit in similar situations. Furthermore, as children’s brains are still developing, they are in the process of acquiring the skills necessary to better understand and regulate their emotions.
Connection Before Correction: It is essential to teach emotional regulation.
Why It Matters
Emotions significantly influence our thoughts and behaviors, making emotional regulation a critical skill. The decisions we make in various situations are often based on our emotional responses. As children develop, learning to regulate their emotions can lead to:
Improved relationships with peers
Enhanced focus and attention
Increased resilience in the face of challenges
Better problem solving abilities
Practical Strategies for Parents
Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in shaping their children’s emotional development. Children continuously observe their parents,
learning how to navigate their feelings through these interactions. It is therefore essential for parents to model healthy emotional management and self-care practices.
Below are some straightforward strategies that can be utilized:
Model Emotional Awareness
Encourage open and appropriate expression of emotions by sharing your own feelings. Use phrases such as “I feel happy when…” or “I feel
frustrated about…”. This practice teaches children to recognize and articulate their own emotions.
Practice Deep Breathing
Introduce simple breathing exercises to your children. For instance, instruct them to inhale deeply through their nose and exhale slowly
through their mouth, akin to blowing bubbles or for a slow count of 5 in and out. This technique can assist them in calming down when they feel overwhelmed.
Use Visual Aids
Develop a feelings chart featuring images that represent various emotions. This visual tool can aid your child in identifying and communicating their feelings more effectively.
Resources
In today’s world, parents and caregivers have access to a plethora of resources designed to support emotional regulation in young children. These resources range from applications on smartphones and tablets to storybooks, among others.
If you are seeking a program that fosters family involvement, collaborative learning, and utilizes puppetry, then Family
Centre has the program for you!
Kimochis Play
This program is tailored for families with children aged 3 to 6 years. “Kimochi” translates to “feeling” in Japanese. The aim of early childhood education is to equip children with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to recognize and manage their emotions, demonstrate empathy and concern for others, build positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and navigate challenging situations constructively.
We will create a social-emotional learning environment where children can acquire tools to assist them during difficult emotional moments. Through hands-on instruction and ample practice opportunities, they will enhance their social emotional competence. The schedule features free play, Kimochis learning sessions, and snack time.
Watch for our program guide for upcoming programs like Kimochis Play and Worry Dragons (ages 7-12) that will help your child figure out their emotions!
Content Source: various articles
