Little Children, Big Feelings
Use these strategies to help a child open up about their feelings.
Children’s feelings come in all shapes and sizes. Look for signs that children are struggling with big feelings like stress, fear, shame, anger, sadness, and frustration:
- Sudden yelling or crying
- Difficulty sleeping
- Unusual clinging
- Hitting
- Eating more or eating less than usual
- Smiling or laughing less often
- Having new fears
- Bed wetting
Help children to open up about their feelings by:
- Reminding them that all feelings are okay
- Sharing some of your own feelings with them
- Naming the emotions (“It looks like you might be feeling sad/scared/lonely…”)
It can be difficult for children to talk about feelings in the middle of a challenging moment. Try these strategies:
- Ask kids to stop what they are doing, put their hands on their tummies, and slowly take three deep breaths.
- Pause to blow up a “calm-down balloon.” Hand them a pretend balloon and ask them to “fill” it with big breaths. Then they can pretend to “release” it into the air.
- Ask them to take a break to smell a pretend a birthday cake and blow out the candles. This will help them with calming breaths in through the nose, out through the mouth. Try it together!
Mindful Caregivers
Practicing mindfulness is a great way to slow down and reset.
Mindful Monsters: Whole-Body Listening with Elmo
In this podcast, Elmo practices whole-body listening.
Mindful Monsters: Self-Love Mantras with Grover
In this podcast, Grover shares some mindful mantras.
Mindful Monsters: Look and Notice with Cookie Monster
Cookie Monster helps children practice mindfulness by looking and listening carefully to their surroundings.
Mindful Monsters: Bubble Breathing with Abby Cadabby
In this podcast, Abby Cadabby guides children through a bubble breathing exercise.
Mindful Monsters: Body Scan with Big Bird
In this podcast, Big Bird guides children through a mindful body scan.
Soothe Snuggle Slowdown: Songs and Strategies for Restful Sleep
This curated playlist helps little ones (and their tired grown-ups) relax and unwind! A mix of mellow tunes sets the mood for naps, bedtime… or just some much needed down time.
