How to Support the Emotional Development of a Child

Raising emotionally healthy children isn't something you can leave to chance. Children who develop healthy self-esteem and compassion for others are modeling behavior they see from their parents. According to Psych Central, parents of emotionally healthy children raise them in an environment in which they have consistent boundaries and a sense of equality among family members. Validating children's emotions, whether or not you agree with them, sends the message to your children that their needs are important.

Instructions

    • 1

      Communicate clearly and fairly with your child. Listen when she needs to talk, and tell her that in return you expect her to listen to you. Explain exactly what you need from her, and listen to what she needs from you. Write it down if necessary. Prioritize both your needs in order to come to an effective compromise.

    • 2

      Define exactly what you expect from your child as a member of your home. Assign a reasonable number of age-appropriate chores and insist they get done before you hand over the privileges. When you say you're going to grant a privilege, grant it -- for example, if you've promised to let your daughter borrow an outfit for a date in return for getting her homework done without having to be asked, keep your promise. Through this exchange, you learn to trust each other, which builds her self-esteem.

    • 3

      Take your child's side until all the facts present themselves. If your child is beaten by a school bully or accuses an adult of inappropriate conduct, believe your child and tell him you love him. The situation may turn out to have happened differently once you know the facts, and if necessary, you and your child can amend your views in light of new information. But for now, what your child needs is your assurance that you'll always be on his side, and you will always make it your job to keep him safe.

    • 4

      Role-play situations that cause your child anxiety. For example, he might be feeling major stress over a class taught by a teacher he dislikes. This is your opportunity to get to the bottom of how his teacher makes him feel, and how he could react in his teacher's presence to help himself stop feeling that way.

    • 5

      Surround your child with trusted extended family, which includes close adult friends. The more opportunity you can provide for your children to talk to people who are different from them, the more they learn how to function in the world. They learn diplomacy, social skills and new ways of exchanging ideas.

    • 6

      Spend one-on-one time with your child doing special things the two of you enjoy. When you're with your child, give her your full attention. Put away the electronic devices, go for a walk in the woods or swim at the beach. Go see something you haven't seen before and have a conversation about it afterward. Show her every chance you get that her presence and her intelligence are precious parts of your life.

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