The Power of Parent-Child Relationships
Loving connections between adults and children form a strong foundation for emotional well-being.
As a parent or caregiver, your caring connection with your child plays a powerful role in setting them up for a future of healthy relationships and emotional well-being that can last a lifetime.
Attunement—recognizing and responding to your child’s emotions and needs—is an important way to make your child feel accepted, understood, seen, heard, and safe! Here are some ways to validate your child’s emotional experiences, and strengthen your relationship, based on the latest psychological research.
Help shape your child’s emotional world.
- Help children use words to label their feelings. This helps increase their emotional literacy and shows them how to use words to express their emotions. For example, you might say, “I see that you’re crying. You seem sad. What’s making you sad?”
- Remind your child that it’s okay to have feelings like hurt and frustration (avoiding phrases like “don’t be sad” or “don’t be angry”).
- When you need to handle challenging moments, remember that behavior is the main way young children communicate their emotions. They’re still learning to use words to describe their feelings!
- Look for what’s happening in your child’s world that might be behind their behaviors and emotions. Are they hungry or tired?
PRIDE
Use “PRIDE” to strengthen your connection with your child and make them feel seen, heard, and supported. These are simple ways to show your child you’re paying attention and care about them:
- Praise: Offer positive feedback (“You’re doing such a good job sharing your favorite toy.”)
- Reflect: Repeat something similar to what kids say. (If your child says, “I like playing with these blocks,” you might reflect, “Those blocks are so cool to play with. They’re your favorite!”)
- Imitate: “Copy” children’s play. (If your child is drawing a house, you might say “I think I’ll draw a house, too.”)
- Describe: “Talk through” what your child is doing. (“You drew a colorful rainbow!”)
- Enthusiasm: Show you’re excited to play together! (“I love playing this new game with you. Good job!”)
Source: Erlanger Turner, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and an expert on child and multicultural psychology.
Thanks, Feelings Helpers!
Help children understand the role of “feelings helpers”—social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other professionals who know how to help when big feelings get too big.
Count on This! The 6-Second Hug
Hugs that last six seconds or more are best for soothing our minds and calming our bodies… helpful for adults and children alike!
Count on This! The 10-Second Hum
Humming for 10 seconds or more can help both children and adults calm their minds and bodies.
Count on This! 3 Things
Join Elmo and The Count as they step back, take a pause, and spotlight “the good stuff.”
Sofia the Feelings Helper
Meet Sofia, Sesame Street’s very own social worker!
The Ocean Bottle
In tough moments, we can slow down and focus on our senses. This allows our bodies and minds time to relax and reset. Here; Abby shows Telly one easy way to do that!
Shout-Out to the Feelings Helpers!
A furry, fuzzy thank you to mental health providers… from your friends on Sesame Street.