Supporting children to manage their feelings

As we begin Children’s Mental Health Week (3-9 February 2020), we spotlight the importance of children and young people’s mental health. This year’s theme is Find your Brave. Ms Kayleigh Jane Sumner, Head of Positive Education & Wellbeing, Regent International School, elaborates on how you can support your child to manage their feelings

Raising emotionally intelligent children involves empathizing, responding and teaching children about the range of emotions that they feel. We can use emotional moments as opportunities to connect and teach children about essential self-regulation skills. Follow these simple tips below to support your child with managing their emotions.

1. Be aware of your child’s emotions, tune into how they are feeling in moments of distress. Noticing how your child is feeling helps to build a strong bond and creates a sense of safety.
2. Label their emotions, for example, “I can see you’re feeling sad”. This helps children to develop the language of emotions in order to begin to understand how they are feeling.
3. Support your child to problem solve. Most of the time, when children feel their emotions are understood and accepted, the feelings lose their charge and begin to disappear. This creates an opportunity for problem solving. You might say something like, “This is a tricky situation, I wonder what we could do now to make things better?”

Please help us to raise awareness of the importance of supporting your child and family’s mental health during the week. Share this article with your friends. Remember: Finding Your Brave can build your confidence, self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself.