Recently, my two-and-a-half-year-old grandson approached me with the most serious expression on his face.
“I have feelings Nana,” he said triumphantly. This, from a toddler still in diapers.
Not quite sure how to respond, or react, I turned to my daughter. “Daycare,” she explained. “It’s quite normal, that’s what they’re learning.”
Now I am not a child psychologist, nor am I an early childhood educator, but this boomer grandmother has watched her share of Miss Rachel with this little guy. I’m prepared to admit that having raised three children of my own, I have learned a thing or two along the way about little people and their big feelings. Do not dismiss them.
Toddlers experience a wide range of emotions, even when they are not fully verbal and still scooting around in diapers. Joy, sadness, fear, anger, surprise–all these feelings are quite normal. But it’s how they express these feelings that can sometimes have us scratching our heads. Tantrums, aggression or other behaviours are typical responses when a child is still learning language and how to use words to express themselves.
Helping toddlers understand and manage their emotions is crucial for their social and emotional development. They need to know it is perfectly okay to feel this way. And while the whole gentle parenting trend gives me pause, this grandma has learned not to raise eyebrows at any statements that come from the mouths of babes, even if adorably cute and funny.
So, I let my grandson know that I too have feelings. “Sometimes I feel sad, or happy or scared, just like you,” I tell him, “...and that’s okay, for big and little people.” He seemed fine with this newfound knowledge and proceeded to tell me about colouring pictures of happy faces and sad faces.
Helping toddlers learn to embrace these big feelings, not fear them, is an important first step in developing happy, well-adjusted little ones. Check out our list that addresses this very important subject below.
~ Louanne / CSA
Toddlers normally express a broad range of emotions, so be prepared for everything from delight to rage. Naming and accepting a toddler's big feelings is the first step towards helping a toddler manage and cope with their feelings.
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