Teaching kids about emotions is one of the most important tools we can offer as parents, and one of the hardest. Emotions are needed to grow up as mature human beings, which will help to build a better community and world.
But, how can we teach them what are they feeling at a certain situation? How can we select the perfect words to explain it? Are they really coping with us?
I think the best way is by role modeling and using child-like games, activities, songs, books and imagination.
With Pinky, we tried to name her emotions at the moment she’s having them. For example, if she is trying to cut a paper with scissors and is getting “frustrated” we tell her: Is Pinky getting “frustrated”? I know is kind of “frustrating” learning how to use the scissors but you can keep trying! Later on we talk again about the experience she just had.
Other times when we are reading books, we look at the pictures and I ask her how she thinks the character is feeling. As the kid gets older you can add questions as why do she thinks the character is feeling like that, how would she react? Usually she points to aspects of the picture like an smile, tears, red cheeks, etc. or she retell things that we read in the story.
We also have games/activities:
- Sorting different emotion pictures. You can print them out searching on Google pictures, clipart (I got the circle faces at Chilcare.com. The other ones, sorry but I can’t remember where I got them), or even better, make an album with your own kid’s emotion photos since he/she was a baby. Then, you can talk about how he/she grown up but his/her emotions still the same.
- Mommy/baby pretending game with her dollies (this game is also great for imagination and a way to check is she is getting the information when she tells me that the baby is crying because got a bobo and she kisses her to make her feel better).
- Our emotional carrot: it’s an activity I had on my mind for a quiet time already. I got a carrot inflatable toy at the dollar store (It was at Easter time) and draw different types of eyes and mouths to represent the emotions on a cereal box. Added velcro on the carrot and the cardboard. For younger kids you can add small emotions pictures for reference. You can make up stories and have her to put together the emotional face, have her to discover by herself or just as a tool for those tantrums moments when you will need to explain visually how are they feeling.
- Use your camera as a learning tool: have a fun time with your kid making up emotions and having a picture taken. I wrote a post about this activity here.
Emotions are important, don’t try to suppress them. It’s the worst way of dealing with them. This can make kids feel that expressing emotions is prohibited, which will lead to stress and emotional breakdown. You can read more here.
Take care and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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