Lecture Notes: Understanding and Supporting Children's Emotions

Introduction

• Topic: Emotional regulation in children
• Presenter: Occupational therapist and researcher

Importance of Identifying Feelings

• Many people struggle to identify and articulate their feelings.
• Reasons for this difficulty:
  • Lack of vocabulary to describe feelings
  • Childhood experiences indicating sharing feelings is not okay
  • Lack of modeled behavior from adults

Emotional Regulation in Children

• Key Elements: Safety, calmness, interest
• Trust in supportive adults is crucial
• Children need help organizing their feelings, known as co-regulation
• Self-regulation develops with brain maturation
• Example: toddler reacting to a drink in the wrong colored cup

Thinking-Feeling Seesaw

• Concept: When feelings are high, thinking is low
• Frontal Lobes: Involved in rational thinking
• Limbic System: Fires when emotionally triggered, reducing rational thinking
• Children can't process language rationally when upset
• Recommended approach: Name the feelings and offer comfort, e.g., acknowledging frustration
• Importance of adult calmness in the co-regulation process

Case Study Example

• 6-year-old boy with autism and ADHD
• Goal: Help him stay at school for a full day
• Strategy: Mother and teachers practice naming feelings
• Outcome: Increased focus, engagement, and reduced disruptive behavior

Dealing with Adult Emotions

• Illustration from personal experience: The sudden death of the presenter’s brother
• Importance of regulating one’s own emotions before helping children
• Approaches used:
  • Deep breathing
  • Acknowledging and naming both the child's and adult's emotions
  • Allowing children to express and cycle through their emotions

Encouraging Emotional Expression in Children

• Many adults were not supported in understanding feelings as children
• Aim to help children grow with the ability to notice, name, and respond to their feelings
• Practical tips:
  • Consistent but not constant naming of emotions
  • Validating and accepting all types of feelings

Conclusion

• Summarizing message: Noticing and naming feelings helps regulate them, allowing better thinking, doing, and playing
• Personal reflection on the presentation and an interactive prompt for the audience to reflect on their feelings