[Ella Christiansen]

Allow the child to express their emotions, let them take the time they need to process what they are feeling. Let them know you see they are upset and will help them. and let them know emotions are normal and it ok to feel how they feel.

[Jamie]

Validating their feelings is the perfect place to start.

[Madison]

By letting the child talk and communicate with you while you are actively listening and after they communicate, you meet their needs like if they need some alone time allowing them to sit down by themselves for a minute to calm down shows the child that you listened and acted based on their needs.

[Kaylea]

The best thing for a child to do to recognize how they feel is to say it out loud. Once they have recognized how they feel, it is our job to help them cope. My favorite way is to deep breath or to count five on our fingers and blowing the sadness, or anger away.

[Catlyn]

I work with younger toddlers. We do some breathing exercises. I help them name how they feel because they don’t have the words for it. I point out when they are able to self-regulated.

[Nicole]

Name the emotion that you see them experiencing, reassure them that feelings are great! We all need to feel them to release energy. Ask them if they want to take a deep breath with me or count my toes with me (redirect). When all is said and done take a loud deep breath and say aloud “wow, we dealt with some big feelings there! I’m proud of us.”

[Krista]

I like the concept of pointing out the physical cues, or body-checks. It’s a very observable and tangible way to connect big feelings with things they can change. Tight fists, scrunched face and quick shallow breathing can all be addressed in real time. You can help the child by identifying these and relating them to the feelings and then help them to practice regulate themselves by flexing their fingers, stretching their face and breathing deeply.

[Kenan]

Some of the best ways to help children recognize their emotions and control their responses helping children reflect, do a body check, practice connection, exercise and move their bodies.

[Jasmin]

Listening and communicating with them and letting them express their feelings and letting them know it is normal to feel different emotions and that we can do deep breathing and stretching if we are feeling upset.

[Emma]

Being able to communicate to the child about what they are feeling and what they need can help the child recognize their emotions. Books on emotions help as well.

[Shawnee]

Letting kids express there emotions and be able to learn how to cope with them and self sooth. Let them talk if they want to talk that way they get out what they have to say and express themselves.

[Stella]

Some of the best ways to help children recognize and regulate their emotions is by, making sure you teach the children what those emotions look like and feel like. Then when the child is calm, help them practice certain calming techniques like deep breathing.

[Kirby]

Let kids have the room to talk about how they feel, and narrate if they’re having trouble. “I see you’re sad, is there something you need?”

[soleil]

I think letting the child speak and express exactly how they are feeling in their own words gives them time to feel heard and also gives you an opportunity to validate those feels and give recommendations.

[Tatum]

Always observe the kids’ behaviors over time and since they’re young, they probably won’t identify what their emotions are at that moment, but you can notice it and help by listening to them and being attentive.

[Jamie]

Thank you for recognizing that young children cannot always identity their emotions with words. Helping them understand and develop coping skills is an important part of a teacher’s job.

[Somer]

Let them express themselves. Listen and see if together you caner you can find a solution to make them feel better. Offer choices.