How to develop emotion regulation skills in children
Though emotions are feelings towards someone or something, they shape us, define who we are, and influence our actions more than our thinking. The eight basic emotions are supposed to give rise to other emotions. The eight primary emotions are anger, fear, love, disgust, sadness, pleasure, surprise, and humiliation.
We learn about, relate to, and control emotions in our early years. Managing emotions now includes emotion regulation, which is the ability to monitor, assess, and adjust emotional reactions to meet goals.
Cognitive, physiological, and behavioural mechanisms affect emotion regulation, but parental attitudes and the child's experiences also matter. Age, gender, temperament, attachment types, peer interactions, and instructor attitudes also help develop emotion management skills.
The primary carer regulates the child's emotions during infancy, but since the child's emotional regulation skills are just developing, it's important to correctly analyse the child's reactions, manage stress, and maintain emotional balance.
After the first year, children become more active in emotional regulation, and when they are in danger or stressed, parents' emotional guidance, acceptance, and response are crucial for intense emotional attacks.
Children start listening to and adapting to their primary carer at this time. Until age 3, children display emotional control skills include stopping themselves from doing wrong, helping each other spontaneously, sharing, and consoling.
At age 3, kids become increasingly autonomous from their parents and spend more time with others. This helps them understand their own and others' emotions.
This is when youngsters begin to speak efficiently, expand verbal communication, and willingly help, share, and soothe with emotion regulation until age 6.
Since peer-focused communication is adopted, they can understand and express their own and others' emotions. Internalisation of behaviours begins. Depending on emotion regulation skills, some bad and positive behaviours may become clearer at this time.
Again, family and other adults in the child's local environment (teachers, etc.) help build emotion management abilities.
Lack of emotional management skills before this age group will lead to psychological issues. Anger and violence are the biggest issues. Thumb sucking, bedwetting, lack of self-confidence, and introversion may also result from inability to communicate feelings.
Children express their emotions through behavioural issues. Therefore, recognising the child's sentiments and teaching them emotional management are crucial now. The following approaches can help youngsters regulate their emotions, but parents are the best guides.
Accept your child's emotions. Accept their significance to him/her. For instance, when your child cries over a minor issue, instead of responding, “You shouldn't cry for this,” indicate that you understand his/her feelings and how hard it is.
Try conversing once he/she calms down after experiencing the incident and its emotions. Hugging and communicating with your child throughout emotional changes might also assist. If the child asks, don't force.
Let your youngster know you understand by asking how they feel. Statements like, "I know you're feeling sad right now because your toy is broken, but I'm here for you," will help kids communicate their feelings.
Children mimic and learn. You can teach children emotion regulation by expressing your own. It's great that today.... Could you tell me what made you happy today?