Emotions in Children

31 de October de 2024

The importance of working on emotions in children

In childhood, emotional development is a key part of a child’s healthy growth. Working on emotions allows them to understand and manage their feelings, which is fundamental for their well-being. It also fosters empathy and improves their social skills.

It is essential that children learn to identify and express their emotions from an early age. This will help them not only to understand themselves, but also to relate better to others. This contributes to lasting confidence and emotional security.

There are many activities that can help children in this process, and the best thing is that many of them can be integrated in a fun and creative way into their daily routine. Here are 10 effective activities for children to work on emotions.

Activity 1: The calm jar

The calm jar is a fabulous tool for teaching children to calm down when they are overwhelmed. It consists of a jar filled with water, glitter and glue.

When the child shakes the jar, the glitter swirls and then slowly settles. This visual process helps children to concentrate and relax. It can be very useful for teaching breathing and meditation techniques.

Also, doing it together can be a good craft project and a great way to talk about how they feel when they are angry or anxious.

Ingredients for the calm jar

A glass or plastic jar
Water
Clear glue or craft glue
Coloured glitter
Food colouring (optional)

Activity 2: The Emotion Wheel

The emotion wheel is a visual tool to help children identify and express what they are feeling. You can create a wheel with different sections, each representing a different emotion such as happy, sad, angry or afraid.

Children can use the wheel to point out how they feel at different times of the day. This not only opens a door for communication about emotions, but also helps them to recognise that experiencing different feelings is completely normal.

Making an emotion wheel can be a creative and educational activity at the same time. You can use cardboard, colours and stickers to personalise it.

Activity 3: Puppet theatre

Puppet theatre is a fun way to work on emotions. With puppets, children can act out different situations and explore how the characters feel.

This type of activity encourages creativity and allows them to experiment with emotional expression in a safe and controlled way. It also helps them develop conflict resolution skills and learn how to handle difficult situations.

You can make the puppets using old socks, paper or any other materials you have on hand – let the children invent their own stories and characters!

Activity 4: Emotional journaling

An emotional journal is a powerful tool for children to reflect on their feelings and thoughts. Encouraging children to write or draw their emotions helps them to process them constructively.

They can use their diary to write stories, draw scenes from their day or simply express how they are feeling at a particular moment. This teaches them to reflect on and understand their emotions.

It is helpful for parents to review the diary with them from time to time, so that they can talk about their feelings and give them guidance if necessary.

How to encourage the use of the emotional diary

Provide them with a special notebook and art materials.
Set a regular time each day to write or draw.
Make it fun and non-judgmental.

Activity 5: Role-play

Role play is a great way to explore and manage emotions. By acting out different situations, children can experience and learn how to respond to various feelings.

For example, they can act out a scene where one character is sad and another is supportive. This allows children to better understand the emotions of others and develop empathy.

These games also help to improve their communication skills and strengthen bonds with their playmates. You can use costumes, toys or just your imagination to create scenarios.

Activity 6: Calm Down Corner

Creating a calm corner at home or in the classroom is an effective strategy to help children manage their emotions. This corner can be a small space with cushions, books, sensory toys and relaxation tools such as the calm jar.

Inviting children to use this space when they feel overwhelmed teaches them that it is important to take time for themselves. It gives them a chance to calm down and reflect before returning to their activities.

This corner can be customised according to children’s interests and needs.

Activity 7: The Emotional Story

Emotional stories are a wonderful way to teach children about emotions through stories. Reading books that deal with emotional themes allows children to identify with the characters and better understand their own feelings.

You can choose books that deal with specific emotions such as sadness, joy, fear or anger, and then discuss the story with them. Ask them how they think the characters feel and if they have experienced something similar.

In addition, storytelling can be a relaxing activity before bedtime, helping children process their experiences of the day.

Some recommended books

“El Monstruo de Colores” by Anna Llenas.
“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney
“I Had a Dragon!” by Tom McGowan

Activity 8: The Emotion Game

The game of emotions is an interactive activity in which children can learn to identify and express different feelings. It consists of cards with different facial expressions and written emotions.

You can ask children to choose a card and act out or describe the emotion. This type of game helps children explore their own feelings and recognize emotions in others.

It is a playful way to develop their emotional intelligence and social skills while having fun at the same time.

Activity 9: Children’s Yoga

Children’s yoga is a great way to combine movement, breathing and relaxation. Yoga helps children regulate their emotions, improve their ability to concentrate and reduce stress.

The postures can be done in a fun way, using names of animals or elements of nature. This makes yoga accessible and appealing to children.

In addition, practicing yoga regularly encourages the mind-body connection and teaches children to be present in the moment. You can find many children’s yoga routines online to get you started.

Benefits of children’s yoga

Increased attention and concentration
Reduced stress and anxiety
Physical strengthening and flexibility

Activity 10: The Hug Box

The hug box is a simple but effective activity. It consists of a decorated box where children can leave notes or cards with loving messages for other family members or friends.

This act of writing and receiving positive messages strengthens emotional bonds and fosters an atmosphere of love and empathy. It is also a tangible way to express and receive affection.

You can make this activity a weekly routine by having each family member write at least one note to someone else. It’s a great way to end the day with gratitude and affection.

Working on emotions in children can be a fun and enriching process. With these activities, you will be helping your little ones cultivate emotional intelligence that will serve them for life.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age is it appropriate to start working on emotions with children?

It is advisable to start working on emotions with children from an early age, even when they are babies. The early years are crucial for emotional development. You can start with simple activities such as talking about emotions or reading books that address these topics. The key is to tailor the activities according to the child’s age and developmental level.

How can I tell if my child is understanding emotions?

Observing changes in your child’s behavior will give you clues as to whether she is understanding her emotions. If he begins to use words to describe how he feels or if you can see him using a self-management technique that you have taught him, it is a sign that he is beginning to understand and manage his feelings. Don’t hesitate to give him positive feedback to reinforce these behaviors.

What can I do if my child is reluctant to participate in these activities?

If your child is reluctant to participate, try to find out why. It may be that the activity is not appealing or age-appropriate. Try to customize activities to their interests. Sometimes offering options and allowing your child to choose can increase their willingness to participate. Respecting their space and giving them time is also crucial; not all children are ready to explore their emotions at the same time.