Emotions in Preschoolers — The Key to Understanding Yourself and Others

Emotions accompany us throughout life, but for young children they are particularly intense and not always easy to understand. During preschool years, children are just beginning to learn to recognise, name, and cope with what they feel. For us adults, this is the time when we can help them build solid foundations for healthy emotional development.

Accepting all emotions

Recognising emotions is only the beginning. Children need to learn that all emotions — both the “negative” ones like anger, and the “positive” ones like joy — are perfectly fine and worth accepting. Instead of saying “Don’t be angry!”, it is better to say: “I understand you’re upset. Let’s think about what we can do to feel better.” This approach allows a child to express their feelings in a healthy way, without fear of being judged. It is important for children to understand that emotions are not something bad, but a natural part of life.

Coping with emotions

Understanding emotions is one thing, but it is equally important to teach children how to cope with them. Preschoolers are at an age when conflicts and frustrations arise daily — toys that won’t work, misunderstandings with peers, changes in daily routine… Each of these situations can trigger strong feelings. That is when it is worth helping the child find a solution. We can ask: “What can we do to solve this problem?”, “How can we calm down when you feel upset?”. By showing the child that solutions can be found rather than dwelling on negative emotions, we teach them to handle difficult situations constructively.

Learning about emotions through play

Toys and games can be excellent tools for learning about emotions. Board games, emotion cards, or drawing faces with different expressions are great ways for children to connect with their own feelings and learn empathy. Painting or creating various characters during play also gives children space to express what they feel. Creativity allows emotions to be released in a safe way, while developing imagination and communication skills.

The role of adults

The most important thing we can do as adults is to be a source of support and a role model for children. Conversations about emotions, analysing situations together, and expressing our own feelings constructively are excellent ways to teach. When a child sees that an adult can handle emotions calmly and thoughtfully, they are more likely to adopt those skills.