Toddlers and Emotions

Ms. Liz did some fantastic research this weekend, regarding toddlers and emotions. (Thanks, Liz!) Here are some of her findings:

First, check out this article by Heather Turgeon called Why Kids Have Temper Tantrums | Babble

About half-way down, you can read her explanation of how toddler brains develop. I was surprised to learn that her brain is already starting the process of "pruning" unused connections and that this "pruning" is actually the "heavy lifting" of developing emotional maturity.

This second article Teaching Toddlers About Emotions - Parenting.com  by Rita T. Wallace has some more practical advice, including these 3 tips:

1. Name emotions seen in others
2. Name her emotions as she feels them
3. Name your own emotions to her

Words are important, and children listen, so putting words to the feelings she is having is an important developmental step.

I realize that this doesn't just apply to toddlers, of course. In fact, I have recently been studying the concept of Emotional Intelligence, as it applies to developing my own interpersonal and professional relationships. Clearly, these principles apply as well! If I can teach Lena to recognize her own emotions and not be hijacked by them, she will be able to use those skills for the rest of her life!

Perhaps by helping my daughter through this learning process of her own emotions, I will be able to better understand and acknowledge my own and become a better person through her.

Now, will somebody please remind me I said that next time we throw a tantrum in the grocery store? Ha!

Love always, 

Mama