If you have ever experienced a toddler go from sheer joy to a complete tantrum in two seconds flat, you realize what a roller coaster ride a child's emotions can be. 

Teaching your child how to manage those feelings and understanding them from a young age is important to a child's development.

Kim Krawec, Rocky View Parent Link Centre Coordinator, says if a toddler gets upset and throws things, parents can help their child's social emotional development by helping them identify, manage, and express their emotions in an appropriate way. 

“Instead of just giving them heck, being able to label by saying, ‘oh! I see that you’re feeling frustrated let me help you.’ You’re teaching them what it is that they’re feeling and identify that feeling with that word and giving them some alternative ways to act.”

 Being able to manage emotions is a critical life skill and learning that there is more to being happy, mad, or sad is a first step.

"Those are the three that most people know but underneath anger which we usually see is a whole variety of different emotions. There's frustration and jealousy. So helping them figure out what those underlying emotions are and dealing with the root cause, that will help them in the future as they grow into young adults."

Raising an emotionally resilient child builds their confidence, self-esteem, and feelings of self-worth.

For more information about classes at the Parent Link Centre call 403-851-2250.

 

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