10 Emotions of Children and how to respond.

Part One :-

We will cover:

  • Happiness

  • Distress

  • Interest

  • Sadness

  • Anger

How do you recognize an emotion that your child is showing and what you can do to enhance, protect and teach your child.

Well, we all have emotions which range from Happiness to Anger. As adults we have learned that if we don’t control these emotions bad things can happen such as anger. How many of us have hurt a loved one with an uncontrolled angry outburst. I’m not going to write about therapy here but how Parents can recognize emotions in the young children and teach them about these emotions and what they mean. It will give great comfort to your child.

Research has shown that children who understand their feelings learn how to handle their feelings and do better in many ways such as:

  • Forming stronger friendships

  • Able to calm down more quickly when upset

  • Handling their moods and have fewer negative emotions

  • They do better at school

Happiness

Happiness begins at birth. When it happens enjoy it with your child, acknowledge how good it feels to be happy. Make a note on what made them happy. Join in if they want or if they prefer, let them be independent. one careful that this happiness doesn’t lead to bursts of excitement that could put them in danger such as running in the street.

Look for:

  • Smiling and giggling

  • Eyes wide open and shining

  • Energetic joy or looking content

Distress

Sometimes distress is not expressed through crying. it might mean they are hungry, tired, overstimulation, or even gas.

For a baby: Try feeding or changer his diaper. Hold and gently rock, maybe change the way you’re holding her, sing or listen to music or both.

For a toddler: Give comfort with a hug, explain everyone gets upset every now and again and that you love her no matter what she’s feeling, name the feeling so she understands what it is called, encourage her to talk about her feelings

Look for:

  • Crying fussy or clingy

  • Arching backs

  • Covering their eyes

  • Wrinkled forehead or pouty lips

Interest

Begins at birth and is a great time for learning.

For a baby: Follow their lead, is it a toy or teddy bear? Bring it closer so they can see and touch it. Use verbal description to teach your baby what it is looking at, like its a blue car or brown teddy, or a bumpy block. be careful though, as babies tend to put everything they reach into their mouths.

For a toddler: Again. follow your childs lead. If they are looking at a book ask questions about the picture and the story, also you should provide a safe area for discovery.

Look For:

  • Raised eyebrows

  • Open mouth

  • Long gazes

Sadness

Begins at birth and children can show sadness in many ways such as crying, withdrawal and becoming quiet. Sometimes the best comfort comes from listening and honoring their feelings.

For a baby: Use a soothing tone of voice is probably the best way to give comfort or you could gently hold and rock them, maybe a car ride or or even just a bottle feed.

For a toddler: being with them and letting them know you love them no matter what they are feeling, tell the that you sometimes get sad too. Use this time to build trust by sharing their feelings and let them know they can come to you whenever they feel sad.

Look for:

  • Droopy mouths or pouty lips

  • Sniffling

  • Eyebrows may come together

  • Hanging there heads or slumping

Anger

Begins at birth. Children need you close when they feel angry but don’t force it if they push you away.

For baby: gentle rocking, soft touches, change the activity level either up or down. Make them feel safe by your closeness but if they will not allow holding don’t force it.

For a toddler: Gently stop inappropriate behavior such as hitting, find a quiet corner to chat about it, bring them close to you and try to find out what made them angry. Let them know that being angry is perfectly normal and that you sometimes feel angry too. Let them know the name of the emotion by saying “looks like you’re angry”. If it doesn’t work first time, try again a little later. You can use this occasion to teach whats ok and what is not ok when people get angry.

Look for:

  • Eyes wide open and maybe staring ahead

  • Bunched eyebrows

  • Lips pressed together

  • Body may be tense

Please look into our Lake Mary Childcare Blog page next month for Part Two to find out about Surprise, Disgust,, Fear, Embarrassment and Shame.