Supporting Emotions for Challenging Children

Challenging Children

All children can exhibit challenging behavior, but some children present with more intense emotions, more often than others. It can take more parental energy and more time to support children who enjoy these more intense temperaments. But every effort put forth pays dividends in success for your child!

Emotion Coaching Helps

Emotion coaching is a powerful approach that helps children recognize and manage their emotions effectively. All children benefit from this kind of support, and challenging children absolutely need us to double down on our efforts towards this end.

Let's delve into why it's crucial:

Emotional Awareness

Emotion coaching supports children in recognizing and labeling their feelings. By understanding their emotions, kids can navigate them more skillfully and express themselves appropriately.

Coping Strategies 

It involves teaching children practical coping strategies to handle both positive and negative emotions. These tools contribute to better self-esteem and emotional regulation.

Resilience Building 

When parents coach their children about emotions, it fosters resilience. Kids learn that emotions are normal and manageable, which helps them bounce back from challenges.

Problem-Solving Skills 

Emotion coaching enhances problem-solving abilities. Children become adept at finding solutions to emotional dilemmas, leading to better decision-making overall.

Confidence and Self-Esteem 

By feeling understood and supported, children gain confidence. This emotional foundation positively impacts their self-esteem and interactions with others.

Academic Success 

Emotionally aware children often perform better academically. Their ability to manage stress and focus on learning improves.

Social Skills 

Emotion coaching contributes to better social skills. Kids learn empathy, effective communication, and how to build healthy relationships.

An Emotional Toolkit

In essence, emotion coaching is like providing children with an emotional toolkit—a gift that empowers them throughout their lives. If emotions were something that were never discussed in your home while growing up, if you have a hard time knowing what to say or how to say it...we've listed a few of our posts below that may help!

See our reel on the subject on our Facebook page, or on Instagram @kidlutions.

Resources to Help You Help Your Kids with Emotions

Helping Little People Handle BIG Emotions

7 Skillful Ways to Help Kids Handle Intense Feelings

Everybody Calm Down: Stress Management for the Entire Family

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Until next time,

Wendy Young, LMSW, BCD, is  the founder of Kidlutions and co-author of BLOOM: 50 Things to Say, Think and Do with Anxious, Angry and Over-the-Top Kids, co-creator of BLOOM Brainsmarts, and creator of The Joyful Parent. She is the author of numerous workbooks and resources to help from the preschool through the teen years. 

Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! You can also find her @thetenacioustherapist on Instagram, where she helps other therapists create a life they love. She'd love to see your smiling face there! Affiliate links may be used in this post. Please see our full disclaimer, located at the top of our page for more information.