Children off all ages can face challenges in managing their emotions as they grow and develop. Without limiting your child’s range of emotions and feelings, here are a few ways to help your child learn to manage his or her emotions.
- Model healthy emotional reactions as parents. Resist the desire to throw any of your own “tantrums” by containing extreme emotions such as yelling at your child. Speaking respectfully will urge your child to speak the same way.
- Prioritize nurturing and connection with your children.
- Accept your child’s feelings, even when it may be “inconvenient.”
- Guide behavior, but consider resisting punishment. Sometimes punishment can lead to more misbehavior without regulating the emotions in the way that children need.
- Help your child to feel safe in feeling his or her emotions. Stay compassionate and allow him or her to express those feelings.
- Continue to act as the grown-up. Provide guidance, nurturing, and support. Creating a supportive space for your child to be vulnerable and express himself allows him to relax and express what he needs.
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