As a parent you may not realise how much of a role you play in teaching your kids how to be emotionally skilful. Emotional development and skills mean learning about feelings and understanding not only about your emotions but those of others, so you can help and offer support to people. Developing these skills will allow children to be able to manage their feelings and encourage them to talk about them too
As a parent you may not realise how much of a role you play in teaching your kids how to be emotionally skilful. Emotional development and skills mean learning about feelings and understanding not only about your emotions but those of others, so you can help and offer support to people. Developing these skills will allow children to be able to manage their feelings and encourage them to talk about them too. As children are becoming more anxious and stressed learning these vital skills can help them as they grow older. It is through emotional skills that children apply themselves to understanding and managing emotions by attaining goals, showing empathy for others and establishing good relationships.
Here is some more information about emotional skills so your child can be happier in life and in themselves too:
- Teach your child about their own emotions from an early age. At a young age your kiddie will jump from one emotion to another including crying to laughing in minutes. This is perfectly normal for babies and toddlers but as your kiddie grows older they need to learn how to manage their feelings and help others with their own emotions. By having these social and emotional skills your child will have better relationships with people by being emphatic and caring towards others.
- Show your child how to recognise other people’s emotions and react appropriately. Again, a young child is not going to be aware of the people around them and their emotions, but they can recognise sadness and happiness. You may worry that your youngster observes you crying as you have lost a relative – but this is normal and explain why you are upset so your child understands. This allows them to accept emotions as normal and realise how people have problems, including adults. Your child should know how to offer support to someone who is upset and how to help when a person is in trouble. In the school yard a kiddie may be upset because their toy broke and youngsters should know not to laugh or make fun of the person but instead to offer help. These little lessons will encourage your child to be less self-absorbed in their own feelings and be a support to their friends. As a child enters the teenage years this can prove helpful as usually teens revert into themselves but a teen that is emotionally and socially skilled will be able to instigate friendships and sustain them in an efficient and effective manner.
- Problem solve and talk about worries. Children need to know how to problem solve when faced with issues in their life. They should also know how to talk to people and understand the importance of relationships that are positive. Acknowledging your child’s worries is vital and not dismissing them for being “silly” as such actions teach your youngster to dismiss people’s emotions and feelings. Keep working on it as though you may consider your child emotionally stable they will always face problems and need support from people around them. It is with your support that they will learn to regulate their feelings and be mindful of others allowing them to be happier in life.
Written by Emma Hayes staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.emmamadjotters.com.
