How to Support Your Child’s Emotional Development
Parents play a vital role in supporting their child’s emotional development, and Calm Little Minds
When Sophie’s six-year-old son, Leo, started school, she noticed something troubling. Every afternoon, he would come home exhausted and on edge. The smallest frustration—a misplaced toy or an unexpected change in plans—would trigger an outburst. “He just can’t handle disappointment,” Sophie told me, worried that she was failing him somehow.
But the truth is, emotional development is a journey, and kids need our help along the way. Just like learning to read or ride a bike, emotional skills—like managing frustration, expressing feelings, and handling conflicts—need to be taught, modeled, and practiced. Through my years of working with families, I’ve found that parents can play a key role in helping their children build emotional intelligence. Here’s how.
One of the first steps in emotional development is recognizing and naming feelings. Kids often act out because they don’t yet have the words to express their emotions.
What Sophie did: Together, we created an “Emotion Board” with pictures of different facial expressions. Whenever Leo felt upset, instead of reacting impulsively, he would point to the face that best matched his feelings. Over time, he started verbalizing his emotions instead of melting down.
Try it: Use books, movies, or an emotions chart to help your child put words to their feelings. Say things like, “I see you’re frustrated because your tower fell. That’s really frustrating!” When kids feel understood, they’re more open to learning how to cope.
As parents, it’s natural to want to fix things when our kids are struggling. But emotional growth happens when they learn to navigate challenges, not avoid them.
What Sophie did: Instead of rushing to calm Leo down, she started validating his emotions first. When he cried about not winning a game, she said, “It’s really hard when things don’t go our way. I understand why you’re upset.” Just being heard helped him calm down.
Try it: When your child is upset, acknowledge their feelings first before offering solutions. Phrases like “That sounds really tough” or “I can see you’re feeling sad” go a long way in helping kids feel supported.
Kids learn how to handle emotions by watching us. If we slam doors when we’re angry or bottle up our feelings, they’ll mirror those behaviors.
What Sophie did: She started narrating her own emotions: “I’m feeling frustrated because I lost my keys. I’m going to take a deep breath and look for them calmly.” This showed Leo that frustration is normal—and manageable.
Try it: Be open about your feelings in a developmentally appropriate way. Show your child that it’s okay to have big emotions and model how to process them constructively.
Having a designated “feelings-friendly” space at home gives kids permission to express themselves without fear of punishment or shame.
What Sophie did: She set up a “cozy corner” with stuffed animals, a stress ball, and a feelings journal. When Leo felt overwhelmed, he had a space to go where he could calm down on his own terms.
Try it: Designate a quiet, comforting space in your home where your child can go when they need a break. Let them personalize it with comforting objects.
Helping kids find solutions to their emotional challenges builds resilience and confidence.
What Sophie did: Instead of jumping in to fix things, she asked Leo, “What do you think would help right now?” Over time, he started coming up with his own strategies—whether it was taking deep breaths, getting a hug, or playing with a sensory toy.
Try it: The next time your child faces a challenge, resist the urge to solve it for them. Ask guiding questions like, “What do you think might help you feel better?” or “What could we try next time?”
A few months later, Sophie noticed a difference in Leo. He still had big emotions (as all kids do!), but he was learning how to navigate them. “The other day, he got really frustrated when he couldn’t build his LEGO set, but instead of throwing it, he took a deep breath and said, ‘I need a break.’”
Helping kids develop emotional intelligence doesn’t mean eliminating their struggles—it means equipping them with the tools to handle life’s ups and downs. With patience, practice, and the right support, our children can grow into emotionally strong, resilient individuals.
Try one of these strategies this week and see how it transforms the way your child navigates their emotions!
Parents play a vital role in supporting their child’s emotional development, and Calm Little Minds
Engaging activities can help children develop essential emotional regulation skills.
Building resilience in children is crucial for their overall well-being and future success.