Copy and Past Parent Tips

Helping children handle their emotions leads to success in school!
Social-emotional development, behavior, and social skills affect learning. For example, aggressive children who are rejected by their classmates early on are more likely to earn lower grades, to be held back, and to drop out of school as teens.

Between the ages of three and four, children experience tremendous emotional growth. At this age children begin to label feelings. They understand on a basic level what causes certain feelings. When a playmate cries or becomes angry, your child may offer a hug or share a special toy. It is important to recognize and encourage this empathetic behavior. This will help your children develop compassion. It will also help them learn to identify emotions in themselves and in others.

For a preschooler, learning to identify emotions is the first step towards learning how to manage them. When a child can correctly label feelings, he is better able to express himself and his needs. You can help your child develop this valuable skill through play. Mirror games, face cards, and play acting are all great ways to help children identify their emotions. Reading and storytelling can also be very helpful. Describing why a favorite character feels a certain way is fun and lets children practice expressing emotions.