[Ella]

Some of the best ways to help children recognize their emotions and their responses is by giving them a space and letting them express how they’re feeling while giving them your full attention, and after they’re done talking talk to them and guide and help them come to a way to solve their issue.

[Hannah]

The best way to let children express their emotions is by letting them talk to you. Ask them questions such as “what emotions are you feeling right now?” “why are you feeling those emotions right now?” “what can we do about those feelings?” When we ask them questions it is important to listen to them and their answers so that we can help them process their emotions successfully.

[Sadie Olson]

Identify the signs of an emotion in a child and explain them, allow them to tell you how they feel without invalidating their emotions.

[Taylar]

Some ways might include active listening, allowing the child to express what they need. If they are doing so in a negative or harmful way, I might use redirection to allow them with safe ways to express and control these emotions.

[Ellie]

Sometimes children need space or to cry for a bit to release their stress. In the beginning, this may be a trial and error process, as the child may not communicate if they want to be comforted or to be left alone. Then, we want to work up to having them identify their emotions and communicating what they would like us teachers to do. Books can be really helpful, so that they can learn the words for what they are feeling, and see examples of what those feelings feel like.

[Rebekah]

Using a feelings chart like an emotional thermometer can show children how emotions grow in intensity. A body check can also help to teach children to recognize their own emotions by looking at the physical signs with their bodies.

[Jayleen]

Let the child tell you what they are thinking or feeling, make sure you are actively listening during this time. When they are done speaking offer ways to help them calm themselves through breathing exercises or whatever you feel is appropriate for the type of emotion they are feeling.

[Jamie]

Be sure that the child has the vocabulary necessary to communicate what they are feeling. Work some practice sessions into your lessons so they can be confident when they try to explain how they are feeling. This is a lifelong process.

[Nathalie]

If a child has an outburst ask the child if they need some alone time to think. If they say yes allow them to have some moments alone then let the child know that when they are ready to talk they can come to you. Then during this time give the child some mindfulness advice let them know that sometimes breathe can help regulate themselves.

[Jamie]

Be sure that the child is ready to make decisions. You should be aware of whether they need time to deescalate from the outburst before they can think for themselves.

[Tim]

Ask child what they are feeling, listen, give space for them to express, make observations of what you see, allow some choices of ways the child may self-regulate (sit in special chair to get some space, keep breathing, observe their body and what they experience)

Practice and help provide training

[eric]

i always ask them to use their word and talk about what emotion they are feeling and letting them know that their emotions are okay we sit and talk until they feel better

[mariana]

The best way to let children express their emotions is by letting them talk to you but sometimes children need space or to cry for a bit to release their stress.

[Alexis]

One way to help children regulate their emotions is by asking them how they are feeling. You can talk to them about the emotions they are feeling and work with them to figure out strategies to help them. Many kids may not know or won’t want to talk about their emotions in which case you can observe them and approach them that way. If you notice a child who seems angry or sad you can something like I noticed that you are yelling do you want to talk? We can also offer activities that they enjoy. After figuring out their emotion you can help them go to an appropriate area and do an activity. Many of my children like to be comforted and sit in a lap or hug and then we do an activity that helps them. Many of my kids have different things that comfort them like drawing or reading. With older kids I teach them deep breathing. Sometimes they don’t understand so I do it with them. We sit together and I tell them to hug themselves when breathing in and let go when releasing their breath. This provides a visual example of what this looks like.

[Olivia]

Having them take a second and breathe. Talking to them about how they’re feeling, having them point to it on a feelings board, letting them have some space to themselves. Being there in support of the child in whatever way you can.

[Liana]

I believe that the best way is to talk to the children and let them explain and talk to you about why they did that because they really just need someone to talk to if they had had an outburst because something else is going on.

[Peyton]

Listening to a child so that they can express what they are feeling in a safe environment and then validating those feelings.