By Disha Gupta, Learning and Development Head & Child Psychologist, Canvas International School
Preschool is a magical time! Our little ones at Canvas International School in Jaipur are constantly exploring, learning, and filling our classrooms with joy and boundless curiosity. However, along with all this wonderful growth comes a wave of “big feelings” that can sometimes lead to challenging behaviours. As parents and educators, understanding these emotions and knowing how to support our preschoolers is crucial for their healthy emotional development.
It’s perfectly normal for young children to express themselves in ways that might seem difficult at times. Here are some common emotional behaviours we often see:
Tantrums: These are often a result of frustration, difficulty in expressing needs, or feeling overwhelmed.
Aggression: Behaviours such as hitting or pushing can occur when a child is frustrated, lacks problem-solving skills, or struggles with managing anger. Little Feelings, Big Challenges: Nurturing Emotional Growth in Preschoolers
Separation Anxiety: Clinginess or distress during drop-offs is a very common sign of anxiety when separating from loved ones.
Emotional Withdrawal: Some children might become quiet or avoid interaction when feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
Difficulty Sharing and Taking Turns: Understanding others’ perspectives is still developing at this age, making sharing a challenge.
Why These Behaviours Matter
While these behaviours are a part of growing up, if we don’t address them with understanding and support, they can have a significant impact on our children’s development:
Social Development: Frequent outbursts can make it harder for children to form positive friendships.
Academic Engagement: Emotional distress can hinder a child’s ability to focus and participate in learning activities.
Family Harmony: Constant emotional outbursts can create stress within the family.
Long-Term Well-being: Unresolved emotional issues in early childhood can potentially increase the risk of mental health challenges later in life.
Self-Esteem: If a child consistently feels “in trouble,” it can negatively affect their self-image.
Simple Ways to Support Big Feelings
The good news is that there are many effective strategies we can use to nurture our preschoolers’ emotional growth:
Create a Safe and Predictable Environment: Consistent routines and clear expectations provide security. Offer a calm space where children can retreat when feeling overwhelmed.
Teach Emotional Literacy: Help your child identify and name their feelings using simple language and visual aids like emotion charts.
Model Healthy Emotional Expression: Show your child how you manage your own emotions calmly and constructively.
Validate Feelings: Acknowledge and accept your child’s emotions, even if you don’t agree with their behaviour. For instance, “I see you’re feeling very sad that your friend has that toy right now.”
Teach Problem-Solving Skills: Guide your child in finding solutions to conflicts and managing frustration.
Use Positive Reinforcement: Praise and reward positive behaviours to encourage their repetition.
Provide Comfort and Support: Offer reassurance when your child is upset. A hug or a kind word can make a big difference.
Try “Time-In” Instead of “Time-Out“: Stay with your child, help them understand their emotions, and guide them towards calming down.
Maintain Consistent Boundaries: Children feel more secure when they know the rules and that they will be consistently enforced.
Seek Professional Guidance: If you have concerns about persistent or severe emotional behaviour issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to a child psychologist or therapist for support.
The Importance of Early Support
Early intervention is key to helping our preschoolers develop strong emotional regulation skills. By working together – parents and the Canvas International School community – to provide a supportive and understanding environment and consistently using these simple strategies, we can empower our children to navigate their big feelings, build resilience, and create a strong foundation for lifelong emotional well-being.
We encourage you to share any strategies you’ve found helpful in supporting your preschooler’s emotional development in the comments below! Let’s learn from each other.
