Throughout their development, children experience a wide range of emotions. Difficulty can arise when a child is unable to demonstrate emotional control over their anger, frustration, fear, and sadness. This results in emotional outbursts (e.g., temper tantrums), maladaptive behaviors (e.g., withdrawal and aggression) and psychological distress (e.g., anxiety and depression). It is important to identify the emotion that the child is experiencing as well as the trigger. Teaching the child healthy coping skills will assist them in regulating and controlling their emotions more effectively.
Step 1
Assist your child in identifying and recognizing different emotions. Accomplish this by showing your child pictures of different facial expressions and asking them to identify the corresponding emotion. Each emotion has distinct facial characteristics. For example, an angry face has lowered eyebrows that cause forehead wrinkles, and lips that are thin and tensed. Recognizing emotions will build your child's emotional intelligence and enable him to express how he is feeling.
Step 2
Uncover what triggers your child's emotional reactions. Triggers are experiences that lead to certain emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Common triggers for frustration include transitions or change in routine, conflict with friends or family, and expectations or pressure that are placed on the child. Determine whether your child's emotional difficulty occurs in a particular environment, such as school or home. Increasing the child's awareness of what causes her emotions will prepare her to handle these situations more effectively.
Step 3
Support your child in developing healthy coping skills that can help him calm down. When a child is in a heightened emotional state, redirect him to take a break and cool off by listening to music, drawing or going for a walk. Have the child plan activities he can engage in when he feels overwhelmed by his emotions. Teach the child additional relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation.
Step 4
Commend your child for controlling her emotional reactions. Positive praise recognizes your child's improvements and helps build self-esteem. Use small rewards to reinforce your child's progress.
Step 5
Provide your child with a supportive home environment that continues to encourage and reinforce his emotional skills. As a parent, it is important to increase your knowledge and understanding of childhood emotions by reading relevant child development books and articles. Attend a local parent support group for parenting advice and the opportunity to share experiences.
Tips and Warnings
- If your child's emotional and behavioral symptoms impair her daily functioning, it is recommended that the child receives a psychological assessment. Speak with your local mental health agency or your child's school psychologist for further guidance and referral information.
