BIG Emotions in Little Children
Got BIG emotions in your little ones? If so, it’s perfectly normal, aggravating and stressful, but normal for small people. There are a variety of reasons kids exhibit high emotions. Tantrums associated with BIG emotions typically originate with basic needs not being met, developmental challenges or power struggles.
Basic needs include sleep, food and drink, attention, and love. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 12-14 hours for one to three-year-olds with naps included. Three to five-year-olds should be getting 11-13 hours of sleep a day. Sometimes high emotions set in because a child is hungry. Provide high protein, low sugar snacks to combat the “hangries”. At times your child may just need a little TLC. Your attention and a hug may be all that’s needed to squelch a tantrum.
Developmentally, children birth to age five grow at a tremendously rapid rate. Bodies and abilities are changing fast. Children can easily be overwhelmed or frustrated. And to top it off, they don’t have the language skills to express themselves.
Power struggles ensue when kids want to do things themselves and either cannot or are not allowed to try. Yes, it’s easier and faster to put a coat on a child and get the hood up and zipper zipped, but when kids get to try they are empowered. Choices provide a sense of control for littles too. Try these eight tips to help your child with BIG emotions.
Eight Tips to Help Your Child with BIG Emotions
- Break skills into smaller chunks.
- Have realistic expectations
- Practice identifying emotions by name.
- Give more control to your child when and where appropriate.
- Use “Yes, when…” as opposed to “No, not until…”.
- Be part of the solution.
- Refrain from being hijacked by your child’s emotions or behavior.
- Choose your battles. Some are not worth the angst for you or your child.
© 2020 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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