“When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it is our job to share our calm, not to join their chaos.” – L.R. Knost.

It’s no secret that young children can experience BIG feelings. Meltdowns, lashing out, and emotional outbursts are common, often leaving parents and caregivers baffled. Have you ever handed your preschooler exactly what they asked for, only to see them lose control? You’re not alone. As a parent of a toddler, I’ve learned effective strategies to help children navigate these intense emotions. Here are some tools to guide you through this journey.

1. Identifying Their Feelings

The first step in managing emotions is helping children understand what they’re feeling. Literature can be a wonderful starting point. Books like How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad, In My Heart, The Color Monster, and Even Superheroes Have Bad Days help children recognize and label their emotions. These stories provide a shared language for discussing feelings and can serve as reminders during moments of escalation. For example, saying, “Remember, how does a dinosaur act when he’s mad?” can help redirect your child’s behaviour before it spirals out of control.

2. Modeling Healthy Responses

Children learn by observing. If they see adults yelling or reacting impulsively, they’re likely to mimic those behaviours. Modeling calm and constructive ways of dealing with frustration is key. For instance, when you’re upset, verbalize your feelings and coping strategy: “I’m feeling frustrated because things aren’t going as planned. I’m going to take a deep breath and count to ten.” By doing this, you’re not only showing them how to handle emotions but also demonstrating that it’s okay to feel and manage frustration.

3. Practicing Coping Strategies

When emotions run high, having a plan can make all the difference. A “calm down box” is a fantastic tool to teach self-regulation. Create a box filled with items like:

• Emotion Cards: To help label feelings.
• Glitter Jars: Visual tools to focus and calm.
• Stress Balls or Punch Balloons: Safe outlets for anger.
• Pinwheels or Party Blowers: Tools to encourage deep breathing.

Let your child decorate the box to give them a sense of ownership and excitement about using it. As they grow, update the contents with new strategies like breathing exercises from Breathe Like a Bear or a game spinner to make choosing a coping skill fun.

Consistency is Key

No strategy works 100% of the time, and that’s okay. The goal is to provide consistency and tools that help both you and your child feel more in control during emotional moments. Over time, you’ll notice a shift—your child will begin to pause, think, and choose a coping strategy instead of escalating into a meltdown.

At Navriti, we understand that developing emotional intelligence is just as important as cognitive growth. We not only assess a child’s cognitive blueprint but also teach emotional intelligence from the start, equipping children with tools to self-regulate, express themselves constructively, and develop resilience. Our teachers work closely with children to help them recognize and manage their emotions while also guiding parents in fostering these skills at home.

By helping your preschooler identify their feelings, modeling calm behavior, and providing tools like a calm-down box, you’re laying the foundation for emotional resilience. These small steps can lead to a more peaceful home and, most importantly, empower your child with lifelong skills to navigate their emotions effectively.