How to Help Children Articulate Feelings
When your child is acting out and throwing tantrums, it is most likely because he is having trouble articulating his feelings. A child who does not have the words or the means to express himself will often physically act out how he is feeling. Even positive emotions can turn into stressful situations. A child who is overly excited might have trouble calming down. Helping your child find the right words to articulate his feelings and allowing him to feel comfortable expressing his emotions will create a happier and more peaceful environment for both of you.
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Instructions
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Express your own emotions. By letting your children know what you are feeling when you are feeling it, you will help them understand how to express their emotions and that it is OK to express their emotions.
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Create an environment where your children are free to express their emotions. A child who knows it is OK for him to feel angry will be more likely to tell you that he his angry, instead of acting out that anger. Ask your child to tell you how he is feeling and encourage him to be honest.
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Show your children pictures of human faces that demonstrate a variety of emotions. Discuss each emotion and take turns making the faces that show that emotion. This activity helps children put a label on what they are feeling.
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Read books with your child and discuss how the characters are feeling. Ask your child if he knows why the character feels that way and discuss how the character expresses her feelings.
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Create a "feelings chart." Use a wall calendar, dry erase calendar or draw your own calendar. Each day have your child draw a face to show how he is feeling.
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Encourage your child to keep a journal in which he can write out his feelings. If your child is not writing words yet, he can draw pictures in the journal to demonstrate how he is feeling.
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References
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