4 Practical Tips To Help Children Develop Emotional Literacy

help children develop emotional literacy

A well-developed “feelings vocabulary” allows children and adolescents to effectively identify and express their emotions. Here are four tools that can help your child develop emotional literacy:

In my work with children and adolescents, both in school settings and in my private work, I am often surprised by how limited their “feelings vocabulary” is in the beginning. When asked to list common feelings words, more often than not youngsters share fundamental emotion words such as sad, mad, and glad. At times, the feeling word “frustrated” pops up. Otherwise, that is all I am able to coax out of young clients.

Building emotional literacy skills is an essential part of establishing a therapeutic alliance with kids of all ages. Emotional literacy is the ability to identify, understand, and respond to emotions in oneself and others. The development of a feeling-word vocabulary is critical because it allows children to discuss and reflect on their experience of the world.

Labeling emotions allows children to become emotionally competent. Children and adolescents cannot effectively self-reflect or share their feelings if they do not have a well-developed repertoire of words to express the nuances associated with their emotional states. Helping youngsters expand their feeling vocabulary and better articulate their emotional states and life experiences is not only a fundamental step in therapy, it is an essential life skill.

Teach Your Children To Verbalize Emotions and Build Emotional Literacy

Listed below are practical techniques and tools we can use to help children and adolescents develop a more robust feelings vocabulary and greater emotional literacy:

1. NAME IT, CLAIM IT, TAME IT

Helping children label their feelings is an important component of self-regulation (Name It). When children can effectively label their feelings, they can take ownership of their feelings (Claim It). Owning the feeling allows children to do something productive with that feeling. Finally, elicit from your child pragmatic ways of effectively managing their feelings (Tame It).

Read 7 Tips To Better Manage A Child’s Emotional Intensity

2. KIMOCHIS

Kimochis (Kimochi means “feelings” in Japanese) are tactile, plush, and playful therapeutic tools that are used to help kids self-reflect, identify, and express feelings. They also help children understand it is common to experience different and opposing feelings at the same time. This assists youngsters to work toward expressing feelings constructively rather than holding on to ambivalence.

Read 10 Everyday Struggles Of People Who Are Bad At Expressing Themselves

3. DOUBLE-DIP FEELINGS

People often experience conflicting emotions. It is helpful to teach children about “double-dip” feelings—two different feelings at the same time, similar to different flavors of ice cream scooped on top of each other. When children have double-dip feelings, they may feel uncomfortable or confused. Normalize the experience by explaining it is typical to have multiple emotions at once. The classic therapeutic book Double-Dip Feelings: Stories to Help Children Understand Emotions by Barbara S. Cain reinforces this concept in a kid-friendly fashion.

Read What Type Of Parent Are You? QUIZ

4. PLAY THERAPY HUMAN-SHAPED CHALKBOARD

Children and adolescents often internalize feelings such as anger and anxiety. These feelings can then manifest in physical symptoms. The human-shaped chalkboard helps children describe these symptoms in an age-appropriate and engaging way. Children can use various colors of chalk to target the parts of their body that hold anger, anxiety, and other distressing emotions.

The more feeling words children master, the closer they get to building a sense of agency and self-control. Knowing what we feel is the foundation for developing emotional intelligence. It is essential to help children identify their unspoken feelings, recognize other people’s feelings, and effectively express their feelings. The emotional insight children gain by expanding their repertoire of emotion words will support them as they navigate adolescence and adulthood.

For help developing your child’s emotional literacy, contact a therapist who specializes in work with children and adolescents.


Written by: Eva Lazar, PhD
Originally appeared on: Good Therapy
Republished with permission
help children develop emotional literacy pin

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



Up Next

10 Common Triggers Of Mom Rage And How To Tame The Storm

Common Triggers Of Mom Rage And How To Tame The Storm

Ever wonder why your mom seems to be on the verge of fury more often than not? It’s not intentional, but there are everyday triggers of mom rage that might be lurking beneath the surface. Let’s uncover some of the common reasons fueling her occasional bursts of anger.

Most mothers go through and it often occurs suddenly. If you learn what is mom rage and what ignites it, you can handle these situations at home better!

What Is Mom Rage?

“Mom rage” refers to the strong emotions of anger, irritation, and stress that women experience when caring for their ch



Up Next

What Is Tiger Parenting? 5 Key Characteristics and Its Impact on Child Development

What is Tiger Parenting? Key Characteristics and Impact

Are you familiar with the term “tiger parenting”? Perhaps you’ve heard it mentioned in conversations or stumbled upon it in articles discussing parenting styles. But exactly what is tiger parenting? 

Is it an effective approach to raising successful children, or does it come at a cost? Let’s explore the concept of being a tiger parent, and discuss the effects and benefits of tiger parenting on children.

What is Tiger Parenting?

Tiger parenting is a style of parenting that originated from Eastern cultures, particularly



Up Next

Disenchanted Childhood: The Effects Of Self Centered Parenting on Children

The Harmful Effects Of Self Centered Parenting on Children

When you are on the opposite side of self centered parenting, it can have far-reaching effects on you and your psyche. Growing up with selfish parents can take a heavy toll on your mental and emotional health, and these effects can be felt even when you are an adult.

KEY POINTS

Self absorbed parents create role-reversed relationships with their children in which the child psychologically caters to the parent.

Children show psychological responses to selfish parents depending upon the child’s personality.

Some children acquiesce to self-focused parents’ demands, while ot



Up Next

8 Signs Of Mommy Issues In A Woman and How It Haunts Her For Life

Signs Of Mommy Issues In A Woman: Maternal Scars

We often hear about “daddy issues” in pop culture, but less frequently discussed are “mommy issues”. Just like men, women can have unresolved emotional conflicts stemming from their relationship with their mothers. These signs of mommy issues in a woman, if left unaddressed, can manifest in various aspects of a woman’s life, affecting her relationships, self-worth, and overall mental well-being.

But what are the signs of a woman with mommy issues, and more importantly, what can you do when it comes to dealing with mommy issues? Let’s delve into the intricate world of mommy issues and find a way towards healing.



Up Next

Dealing With A Narcissistic Parent: 5 Steps That Can Help Children Cope With One

Dealing With A Narcissistic Parent: Things Children Can Do

How to deal with a narcissistic parent? Communicating with a narcissistic parent or living with a narcissistic parent is without a doubt, one of the hardest and emotionally draining things a person can do, and even more so, when it’s their child. This post is going to talk about what it entails when it comes to dealing with a narcissistic parent.

KEY POINTS

Non-narcissistic parents can take specific steps to help children attain emotional health and coping skills.

Goals are to decrease role-reversal, increase assertiveness, and decrease enmeshment.

A new coping skill inc



Up Next

Understanding Stress in Children: 5 Must-Know Signs for Parents

Stress in Children | Vital Signs

As parents and guardians, it’s our duty to become keen observers and open-hearted confidants. Our children, despite their resilience, can encounter profound stressors, and deciphering these cryptic signals is paramount.

According to research, children have different reactions to their external surroundings than adults. Cultural values play a big part in the way children show signs of stress and overwhelm in their responses. Hence, as parents we have to be aware of these stress indicators.

As parents we all wish for happiness for our children.  Unraveling the reasons behind their stress empowers us to act. By the end of this article, you will get an understanding of how stress manifests in children and what are the 5 signs that you need



Up Next

Skills That Are Established Before Birth: The 5 Incredible Skills Developed In The Womb

The Incredible Skills That Are Established Before Birth

Life’s beginnings are truly wondrous. From a tiny cell, a new life slowly emerges, growing and changing every day. But did you know that this amazing journey starts long before a baby’s first breath? Right inside the comforting space of the womb, a baby isn’t just growing fingers and toes; it’s also learning some pretty cool skills. Yes, babies learn skills that are established before birth.

While we might think skills are things we learn after birth – like riding a bike or tying shoes – many actually start while we’re still cosy inside our mothers. This article shines a light on these early, hidden talents, revealing what babies learn before they are born before their debut in the world.