Understanding emotions in children: Supporting your 6-year-old
From big tantrums to quiet tears – simple ways to help your child name and understand what they’re feeling.
Understanding emotions in children: Our guide for parents of 6-year-olds offers simple games and ways to talk about feelings.
Try this week
Small steps make a big difference. Try a few simple gestures this week:
- Name the child's emotion aloud: 'I see you're disappointed'.
- Pause for 3 breaths before reacting to an outburst of anger.
- Share a small feeling you had during the day at dinner.
- Ask about a fairy tale character's emotions: 'What do you think they're feeling now?'.
- Establish a calming phrase, e.g., 'a moment to breathe'.
- Suggest a physical release of energy, e.g., stomping or jumping.
Myth vs fact
- Myth: Showing anger means the child is naughty or ill-mannered.
Fact: Anger is a normal feeling. Our role is to teach the child how to deal with it safely, not to suppress its expression. - Myth: I should protect my child from sadness and disappointment at all costs.
Fact: Difficult emotions are an opportunity for learning. By allowing them to be experienced, you build resilience and show the child that they can handle anything. - Myth: Talking about feelings only 'fuels' them and makes things worse.
Fact: Naming emotions helps to tame and understand them. It gives the child a sense of control and shows that their experiences are important and accepted.