π‘ π Ideas for Parents to help their children regulate emotions ππ°
1. Teach your child about emotions. You can say , "You look sad right now," or "I can tell you are mad." Name your emotions, too, by saying, "I am sad that we can't go visit Grandma today."
2. Separate feelings from behaviors. Itβs also important for children to learn how to express their emotions in a socially appropriate manner. Discipline behavior, but not emotions. Say, βYou are going to time-out because you hit your brother,β or βYou are losing this toy for the rest of the day because you are screaming and it hurts my ears.β
3. Validate the feelings and relate. Try saying, βI know you are upset we arenβt going to the park today. I get angry when I donβt get to do things I want to do too.β That extra element reinforces to your child that everyone feels those emotions sometimes, even if they arenβt as often or as intense.
4. Teach your child emotional regulation. Here are some helpful skills to teach your child so they can learn to manage their emotions: Practice deep breathing, count to calm down, take a break, problem solve with your child together, identify things that help them feel better. Once your child is calm, then you can talk about the feelings they were expressing.
5. Try to remember that learning to manage one's emotions requires an awareness and skills that younger children are still developing, and try to be patient as they learn.
