Practical tips for parents to help kids identify emotions
A confused child is often an upset child. It’s truer for teens. Once they reach adulthood, they have less time to analyse emotions, just like us! But wouldn’t it be better if your kids grew up knowing how to ‘listen’ to what their emotions are telling them? No, we are not talking about visiting a counsellor. Here are some everyday, game-like activities you can build into your child’s life, and gift them a stronger mind.
Noticing and naming feelings truthfully
Just noticing and naming emotions honestly is a good start. Does your child feel scared at a traffic signal or impatient, or a bit of both? What is a prudent reaction? Does your teen feel terrified at the thought of a Maths paper or is it a way of hiding guilt for bunking lessons? They need not reveal these to you, but stress that they have to be truthful to themselves because they have to live with themselves forever.
Emotion tracking
Get your kid to pick one emotion, maybe feeling glad, and track it all day, almost like GPS. How often and why are they glad? Are there people or activities that make them glad immediately? Once they start this mental note taking, they will discover preferences and strengths, and learn to tell friend from foe. It will also teach them to try and be a source of gladness for others.
Help kids expand the feelings vocabulary
How many words can they name to denote feelings? Are there separate words to indicate emotional levels? For example, annoyed and furious are not the same. How can they communicate these emotions to others without hurting anyone? It’s a good start to achieve mental balance without yoga. It’s also an exercise in being a better, more empathetic communicator.
Reactional emotions
Ask your kids to write what a piece of music, an image or a movie makes them feel. Choose artistic works that inspire emotions as reactions. Encourage them to be creative, they can even draw something instead of writing. It will teach them the power of universal communication through emotions, without any lecturing, and also encourage creativity