Little People, Big Emotions
Close your eyes and imagine a handing a toddler a scoop of pink ice cream when they asked for blue ice cream. What will the reaction be?
Now, think of this same scenario with a 7 year old. What will the reaction be? Now, again, think of this scenario with a 15 year old. What will the reaction be? Lastly, envision handing an adult a scoop of pink ice cream when they asked for blue ice cream. What might the response be?
We know it’s acceptable to feel every emotion, and as adults, we are able to match our reaction to the situation. Children don’t innately have the skills to do this, so they must be taught how to regulate their emotions.
What is emotional regulation?
Emotional regulation, also known as self-regulation, is the ability to monitor and modulate one’s emotions, as well as how you express them. This includes handling frustration, resist explosive reactions to upsetting stimuli, and adapt to new challenges. Self-regulation begins to develop in the toddler years and continues to develop into adulthood.
Why is emotional regulation important?
Learning at school
Social acceptance
Make and maintain friendships
Foster independence
What can I do as a parent to help my child regulate his or her emotions?
Practice positive affirmation together
Validate feelings
Practice showing emotions
Model feelings and problem solving
Incorporate books about emotions into your daily routine
When should you seek help?
Consider contacting a professional for help if your child is withdrawn and has difficulty interacting with others, demonstrates self-harm or harm to others, is difficult to discipline and manage behaviors, has frequent challenging tantrums/behaviors, or seems to be lacking social skills that other same-aged peers have.