As we all know, expressing emotions in the right way can be quite challenging—especially when our feelings come on suddenly or are intense.
Emotions are deeply influenced by our life experiences and thoughts, and in turn, they affect the way we think, act, and approach different situations.
To better manage emotions, the first step is being able to accurately identify and express how we feel (self-awareness). In this article, we want to share some practical tips for parents on how to help children better understand and appropriately express their feelings.
Why Is Expressing Feelings Important?
Being able to accurately express our emotions and feelings helps others understand us better. If we can't articulate what we're feeling, we can't share it with others or discuss how to handle those emotions or even seek help. Research shows that when children learn to recognize and regulate their emotions, they:
• Build better relationships with others.
• Experience less anxiety and suppression.
• Have better focus and learning outcomes.
How to Help Kids Identify Emotions
One way to help kids express their emotions is to teach them to identify feelings in a healthy, constructive way. For example, you might say: “When I heard that you did well on your math test, I felt so proud of you. I almost wanted to jump out of my seat and tell everyone how awesome you are! But I held back. Do you know why? Because I also need to consider how my colleagues might feel. If their kids didn't do as well as you, they might feel differently than I do. So after work, I told my close friend about you, and we even celebrated your achievement!” You can then ask your child, “What do you think of the way I handled that? How would you have done it?”
Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results
When your child shares their feelings, be sure to praise them for it. Let them know that you appreciate hearing their emotions, no matter what they are, and that you are always open to them expressing themselves honestly. When kids recognize how their emotions might affect others and choose an appropriate way to express them, it's important to acknowledge and praise their efforts.
Strengthen Emotional Communication
Encourage your child to talk about their feelings regularly. Make it a habit to discuss their emotions at different times. For example, during a phone call, you can ask your child to reflect on their emotions during the day. You can then share how you felt after hearing about their experiences.
Helpful Activities for Emotional Understanding
Here are two activities that can help your child better understand and express their emotions:
1. Discussion: If you frequently communicate with your child via messaging apps, use emoticons to discuss different emotions and the subtle differences between similar feelings. You can explore emotions such as loneliness, frustration, fear, anger, pride, happiness, relaxation, and determination. Teaching your child to understand these emotions in more detail and express them using either words or emoticons will make emotional expression easier.
2. Journaling: Teachers often encourage students to write diaries to improve their writing skills, but parents can also use this technique to help kids express their emotions. Encourage your child to keep a journal where they can record their feelings. If they're willing to share their entries with you, ask questions like: “What were you thinking at that time?” or “How do you think others were feeling?” Through dialogue, you can help them gain a clearer understanding of how emotions fluctuate throughout the day, and how our environment, feelings, and actions are interconnected.
In conclusion, being able to accurately identify and express our emotions is crucial for children. It's the first and most important step toward managing their emotions effectively. As parents, you play a vital and irreplaceable role in helping your child strengthen their self-awareness and express their emotions accurately. Let's support our kids in developing these valuable emotional skills, so they can better navigate the ups and downs of life!
