Hapiness and Anger. What is emotional development?

Emotional development is the development of the ability to recognise and deal with emotions in a positive, healthy and socially acceptable way.


Happiness:

Happiness is the most important emotion and we should encourage children to be positive.

• Share jokes with children
• Ask children to talk about things they have enjoyed doing
• Encourage children to share their happy news
• Focus on positive things
• Be a good role model by being positive and happy

Anger:

Anger is a strong emotion that many children feel. Biting, temper tantrums, kicking and shouting are common ways in which children express their anger. Sometimes the anger is so strong that the child is not in control of itself. 

Children have to know how to deal with their anger, but most importantly adults can help children to express emotions. Activities like dough, junk art or painting, outdoor activities like making and destroying sand castles, listen to music or playing on drums all will help children to express their emotions. Sometimes a little discussion will solve the problem.

Jealousy:

Most children's jealous is shown through uncooperativeness and anger. A common reason for a child to feel jealous is because of sibling. 

How can we help children to over come jealousy? 

• Involve children to activity (nappy changing)
• Get children to know, what happened
• Make them feel appreciated
• Children may also need some extra attention

Fears:

Children over the age of two develops fear.

Most common fears: The dark and dogs

Be aware of materials and stories that might give children fears. Stories about ghosts and monsters are not recommended under 4 years of age. Young children should not listen to news or watch them on telly.

Effects on grief and loss:

There are many painful circumstances that children are faced with. 

• Parental separation
• Bereavement of a close family member
• Loss of a pet, as children are emotionally attached to the pet

If a pet is sick for example, tell children the true, but not the details.

How can you support your children?

• Ensure all the adult are telling the same thing to the child
• Listen to the child
• Give them extra attention
• Encourage the child to express themselves
• Allow them to talk about their feelings
• Use stories to help children express themselves