Expressing feelings can often be difficult for us adults, imagine teaching them to children? The best way for children to learn about emotions is to talk about them. So here are some tips on how to help you with this type of conversation.
Teaching about feelings through cartoon characters and movies:
Discuss how the various characters from cartoons, books and movies might be feeling. Pause to ask, “How do you think he feels now?”
Create opportunities to talk about feelings:
Every day, ask your child, “How are you today?” Show them that it’s okay to feel what they feel. You can help your child acknowledge feelings by sharing how you are feeling. Say, “I feel sad that you are not obeying me when I speak to you.”
Practice what you want to teach your child:
If you ask your child to use words to express their feelings while he is angry, but he testifies that you yell to express yours, your words will not be effective. Now, if you instead of shouting, indicate that you are angry and take a deep breath, your child will learn to recognize the skills you use when you are upset.
How has this daily practice been with your child?