The Importance of labeling emotions

INDIANA – One of the hardest things for a parent is to see their child struggle and not have the power to “fix” it. We all want happy, healthy children. To achieve that, however, we must allow kids to experience and understand a whole range of emotions.

When children learn that all emotions are acceptable and a normal part of human life, they can begin to cope with them in healthy, positive ways. This helps them build empathy, resilience, and more positive self-esteem. When we talk openly with children about their emotions, we also teach them that we are a supportive, safe space, regardless of what they are experiencing.

Here are some simple ways to support your child’s emotion identification skills:

Talk about emotions daily. Make it a habit to check in with your child about how they