5 tips on how to support children with emotional literacy and expression

How I feel is an activity based wellbeing activity book for children aged 4+ and introduces them to both emotional literacy  and growth mindset.

 We are excited to be taking part in the blogger book tour to share in the book launch. 

Written by psychotherapist and wellbeing author Becky Goddard—Hill.

It contains 40 exciting activities to help young children talk more easily about how and what they feel – giving voice to their frustrations, experiences and struggles as well as articulate their joy, their shyness, and their fear. 

This enables them to make sense of their experiences and to ask for the help and support they need, 

The activities in the book also help children practice excellent self-care skills and take a on board a myriad of ways to be braver, happier, kinder and calmer. 

You can buy the book online at Amazon or look for it in book stores too.

How to Support Children with Their Emotions

Both emotional literacy and emotional regulation help children not only with their interpersonal skills a but also with hem emotional wellbeing and such skills are lifelong assets and best taught young before the challenges of life increase. 

Research has shown that such early interventions into self-esteem, growth mindset and self-care help create resilient children with positive mindsets.

Here Becky shares her top 5 tips on how to support children with emotional literacy and expression:

1. Play feelings games – make talking about feelings fun – perhaps play emotions charades or try one of the feeling games in the How I feel book
2. Role model talking about feelings, talk about your day and the variety of emotions you experiences throughout it so your child will feel they can do the same.
3. Ask you child how they feel – make it a normal question rather than one reserved only for when they seem upset, Encourage them to be expressive and use lots of different words.
4. Really listen to your child when they are talking about their feelings try not to be distracted 
5. Validate your child’s feelings, let them know you have heard and you understand (you don’t need to agree or feel the same) 

You can also use resources like this free printable emotional regulation worksheet, to help kids label and understand their own emotions.

Let talking about feelings be a daily part of your family life and your child will never feel the need to supress how they feel and will be able to share and explore their emotions in healthy ways . 

More Emotions and Feelings Activities here at In The Playroom

• Emotions Playdough Mats (Free Printable)
• Feelings & Emotions Coloring Pages (Pixel Color by Number)
• Emotions Flower Face Craft

Emotions Playdough Mats (Free Printable)

Feelings & Emotions Coloring Pages (Pixel Color by Number)

Emotions Flower Face Craft

How I feel was published this week and is available to purchase here 

Becky writes and podcasts at emotionally healthy kids 

The How I feel Blogger Book Tour

You can find more extracts and Ideas for How I Feel by taking a look at the rest of the book tour bloggers posts 

Feb 1 Who’s the Mummy

Feb 2 We’re going on an Adventure

Feb 5 Penny Reads

Feb 6 In the Playroom

Feb 7 Rainy Day Mum

 Feb 8  Ummah

 Feb 9 Life Loving