Name: OKM
4 x 9.8"
Customer Name: FREEMAN HEALTH SYSTEM
Ad Number: 042422NWR9351
SponSor Content
By Dr. Kathryn Garrett,
Freeman Health System
Pediatrician
It's a familiar situation for any parent
– something we'd think of as a minor
inconvenience or a slight letdown turns
into a full-blown crisis for our kids.
Whether they respond with tears or
tantrum, things that seem small to us
can be very big to a child.
One of the reasons for this is that
young children are still learning how
to manage their emotions. As parents
and caregivers, we can help guide the
children in our lives and equip them
with the tools they need to process big
feelings.
Help kids:
1
Name the emotion. If we don't
recognize we're thirsty, we proba-
bly won't reach for our water. The
same is true of emotions – if we don't
recognize them, we can't take the next
step to process them or express them
in a healthy and productive way. Even
if it's obvious to you that your child is
mad because their friend took their toy,
it might not be obvious to them. Help
your child name the emotion they are
experiencing.
2
Acknowledge the emotion.
Give your child a chance to
claim that emotion ("I'm frus-
trated right now") and help them notice
how it makes them feel. Is their heart
beating extra fast? Are their muscles
tight? Do they feel a little hot? This
not only helps your child recognize the
emotion but it also begins to take their
focus away from the emotion's cause,
paving the way for our Step 3.
3
Calm down. Help your child
find what a nondestructive way
to get their feelings out. That
might be deep breathing or listening
to calming music. Remember to give
age-appropriate options. Older kids
might go for a walk, while little ones
might find it helpful to stomp their feet.
4
Think it out. Talk it out. Once
your child has had a chance
to cool down, help them
think through what led to the
emotion and what they can do
to work through it.
The goal is not to teach
kids to not show emotion,
but to teach them how to
express their emotions in
healthy ways. This might
look different at different ages.
While stomping feet might be a good
solution for a toddler, it might be less
appropriate for an older child. And if you
ever think your child's "big emotions"
might be pointing to a bigger problem,
talk to your child's pediatrician for
guidance. We're always here to partner
with you in raising healthy kids, from
birth until all they're all grown up.
Visit freemanhealth.com/pediatrics
for more information about pediatric
services at Freeman Health System.
You can also visit healthchildren.
org for more information about
American Association of Pediatrics
recommendations.
Emotions
BIG
Handling
8 • May 2022 • www.OfficialKidsMag.com
