- Help children spot their feelings and emotions.
- Voice what you see – I wonder if you are feeling cross, you look very red? You look all floppy, I wonder if you are feeling sad about something?
- Value their feelings (it’s ok to feel ……) – avoid putting your slant on it. Remember it’s real to them.
- When they are more settled, talk through their feelings and the trigger.
- Discuss what could be done now / next time to manage the situation.
Remember to explore what they are feeling, not tell them, as we don’t always know.
Explore what helps your child manage different emotions. Try…..
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- Playing with sand / flour
- Running around
- Being cuddled
- Wrapped in a duvet
- Star jumping
- Colouring
- Use these as suggestions for your child, when you see an emotion developing, to help them calm. ‘I can see you are (eg: getting hot / tense) ………. Let’s go and. …. (eg: do 10 star jumps, have a cuddle, etc)