Role That Emotional Development Plays in a Child's Life

Expressing Feelings

• Even in infancy, a child can express his feelings to others. A coo, a cry or even a smile lets others know that he is experiencing discomfort, joy or even satisfaction. Acknowledging these emotions at any stage in a child̵7;s life will help him learn how to behave, request his needs and communicate his thoughts and feelings. A child who is able to express his emotions in an open and supportive environment is likely to learn how to manage his feelings well rather than keeping his emotions bottled up.

Identifying Feelings

• Emotions are difficult to manage at any age, but once a child is able to identify his feelings, the task is much easier. You can help your infant, toddler and child cope with life events by helping him relate feelings to daily events. For example, if another child hits him, ask your child how it felt. If he makes a new friend at the playground, help him identify the emotions he felt at the time. When children can identify their emotions, they can then focus on managing the feelings instead of coping with confusion.

Managing Feelings

• How a child manages his feelings can significantly impact his behavior. Children are not automatically equipped with the ability to control how they feel. In fact, they are easily overwhelmed by strong feelings and need assistance calming themselves down, according to the Australian Childhood Foundation. Children need parents or loved ones to show them how to manage feelings because they are more likely to act on their feelings without thinking about how they respond. Redirecting a child̵7;s behavior when he is frustrated or modeling appropriate reactions to anger can provide direction for your child.

Developing Relationships

• A child̵7;s emotional development is heavily influenced by his relationships. In fact, the parent-child relationship is one of the most important relationships he will experience. The way that parents interact with a child influences how the child will develop emotionally, according to the Australian Childhood Foundation. Your child is observing how you manage your emotions and express feelings. Providing a model for behavior and emotional management will teach your child more than any discussion about emotions. Parents play a critical role in modeling emotional development.