Why Children Need to Understand Their Emotions – and How You Can Support Them.

Kira Couo
Apr 28
2 min read

Being able to say "I feel disappointed" instead of having an outburst is a powerful skill.

Big emotions are a natural part of childhood. Sometimes they bubble over with joy and excitement – other times with frustration, worry, or sadness. As parents, it’s easy to feel powerless when our children are overwhelmed by feelings they can’t quite explain.But research is clear: helping children recognise, understand, and put words to their emotions is one of the most important gifts we can offer them.

Studies (Denham et al., 2003; Southam-Gerow & Kendall, 2002) show that children who develop emotional awareness early on build stronger self-esteem, better relationships, and greater resilience – qualities that benefit them throughout life.

Why Emotional Awareness Matters

Being able to say "I feel disappointed" instead of having an outburst is a powerful skill. When children can name their emotions, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed by them. Instead, they learn to make sense of what they are experiencing and manage their reactions more calmly.

Research in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) shows that giving children simple tools to identify and understand their emotions helps them cope better with setbacks and challenges (Kendall et al., 1997).They learn that all feelings are allowed – and that there are healthy ways to deal with them.

Acknowledge your child’s emotions and help them find words for their feelings

How You Can Support Your Child’s Emotional Development

You don’t need to be a psychologist to make a real difference. Everyday moments are powerful opportunities to build emotional strength:

Acknowledge your child’s emotions without judgement ("I can see you’re feeling angry – and that’s okay.")
Help them find words for their feelings ("It sounds like you’re disappointed because it didn’t go the way you hoped.")
Explore solutions together ("What do you think might help you feel better right now?")

Small conversations, daily reflections, and creating a safe space for all emotions help lay the foundation for your child's emotional wellbeing.

Supportive Tools That Make a Difference

To make emotional learning easier and more playful, we at Mind Grow Goods have developed a range of tools for children aged 5 to 12 years. These are inspired by well-established psychological methods:

Daily Routine Tracker – Helps create structure and predictability, reducing daily stress.
Conversation Cards – Open up meaningful discussions about feelings, thoughts, and everyday experiences.
Sensory Stickers – Offer calming, tactile input to help children manage anxiety or overstimulation.
The Thought Jar (Affirmation Jar) – Provides daily positive affirmations that build a strong and kind inner voice.
Feelings Diary – Gives children a safe space to write about their emotions, boosting self-awareness and emotional processing.

By using simple tools like these, you’re giving your child a treasure chest of skills they will carry with them throughout life. Sources:

Denham, S.A., et al. (2003). "Preschool emotional competence: Pathway to social competence?" Child Development.
Southam-Gerow, M.A., & Kendall, P.C. (2002). "Emotion regulation and understanding: Implications for child psychopathology and therapy." Clinical Psychology Review.
Kendall, P.C., et al. (1997). "Cognitive-behavioural therapy for anxious children: Therapist manual."
Pennebaker, J.W. (1997). "Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process." Psychological Science.