4 WAY S TO
Boost Emotional Development in Kids I
AUTHOR
LaVonne Long
don’t know about you all, but for me, the past 18 months hasn’t always been easy. In fact, it’s often been a stressful time with school, work, quarantine and just day-to-day life during a pandemic. We’ve dealt with some big issues emotionally in our family (frustration, nervousness, worry, anger, etc.) and we’ve given out a lot of grace to each other the past year and a half. At times like this, and truly at all times, talking about mental health and emotions as a family is so important to the emotional development of our children. I love what Paul wrote, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7 NIV). With back-to-school season upon us, we don’t just get our kids ready with their uniforms and school supplies, we also like to evaluate how they’re doing emotionally. I will be the first to admit that both of my kids have a lot of room to grow emotionally. Healthy emotional development in children is important and, honestly, emotional development in my own life is, too. As parents, we play a key role in our child’s healthy emotional development. David invited God to grow him emotionally. He said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23). You may be wondering what you can do to help ensure that your child’s emotions are developing well. Here are just a few ideas that we utilize to get you started. 58
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
1.
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO NAME THEIR EMOTIONS.
If your child is young, it’s important for them to learn to name their emotions. When kids experience emotions (frustration, excitement, nervousness, sadness, jealousy, fear, worry, anger and embarrassment), teach them what each one of those emotions is. Once they begin to learn them, start asking them specifically how they feel.
