As much as we stress physical wellness in kids, it is time that their emotional wellness is considered equally important. The ability of the child to recognize, understand, and manage feelings effectively is termed emotional wellness. This process of cultivating emotional wellness in kids is dynamic and developed over time through experiences and interactions.
It is an ongoing process that the child goes through while being nurtured and developed, it cannot be compared to facts and knowledge that gets engrained. Living in a fast-paced world, it is of utmost importance that emotional wellness is taught to kids to manage their emotions or feelings with tools in a healthy way.
To thrive well in all aspects, build strong relationships, and be better equipped to face challenges children must be taught to be emotionally resilient. We as parents must use strategies to bring up kids who are good with emotional wellness and assist in creating a strong foundation for their journey into emotional wellness.
These strategies will help instill emotional wellness in kids in the long run.
Being a role model
We as parents or caregivers are their first role models. We play a major role in shaping their emotional well-being. Demonstrating emotional intelligence by acknowledging and expressing feelings healthily is the first step. Discussing what we feel and how we express, models how we emotionally express ourselves and makes them understand the safe space where they can express themselves freely.
The heart of family life is love, acceptance, and security which the child must understand does not depend on their accomplishments. Mistakes or defeats must be accepted and expected. A home that is full of unconditional love and affection is where confidence finds its way.
Nurture their self-esteem and confidence
Setting realistic goals: children when young need realistic goals that help match abilities with ambitions. Old children can increase their self-confidence by choosing goals with your help which also tests their abilities.
Praise them: Encouraging the child in the initial steps will make them want to learn more and explore. Giving them a safe space to explore, assuring them often through interaction and smiles will let them know they have your attention which in turn builds their self-confidence.
Being honest: We should never hide our feelings and let them know about failures. This will help them understand that mistakes do happen and adults make them too.
Avoid sarcasm: When the child faces defeat, talk to them to understand how they feel. They need a pep talk when they are upset. Assure them later when they are ready to talk.
Skills that can be taught: Empathy, communication, and self-regulation are emotional skills that can be taught and practiced. We parents or caregivers can provide children with opportunities to practice the same.
Resilience: It is the ability to bounce back from adversity which can be taught by helping kids understand how to cope with defeats, setbacks, disappointment, and stress healthily.
Individual differences: Every child is unique, wherein their level of emotional development may vary. Some children who are naturally more resilient may cope well whereas some might need more guidance and help. We must recognize these differences and handle them accordingly.
Fostering open communication: Open and honest communication is the foundation. This will enable the child to share their feeling both positive and negative. We as parents should not jump to conclusion rather listen to them attentively and ensure them that their emotion is valid. If this is done the kid will understand that you are their safe space to open up.
Emotional literacy: Teaching them different emotions by labeling them appropriately will help them understand what they are going through and how it can be processed. Books or charts can be beginner tools that the child can use to point out what they feel.
Mindfulness and relaxation
To manage stress and anxiety children can be taught simple mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Breathing, yoga, and meditation techniques will help them be more aware of emotions and handle them effectively. These techniques can be introduced in a child-friendly way.
Limit screens and emphasize outdoors
Excessive screen time can harm their emotional well-being. Encouraging them to spend more time outdoors in physical activities and nature connect can help in fostering healthy emotional well-being.
Empathy and compassion
A vital component of emotional wellness is empathy. Understanding and caring about the feelings of others can be taught to kids by letting them know about perspectives and helping them to look at the world from other viewpoints. Making them engage in volunteering and helping people in need will make them practice empathy.
Problem-solving by resolving conflicts
Kids must be encouraged to solve problems and resolve conflicts from an early age. This will help them understand what they need, how to make people understand, listen to others, and work towards their goals.
When we talk about nurturing emotional wellness in kids, it is a lifelong process that happens dynamically. It cannot be taught overnight. It needs lots of patience, understanding, and consistent efforts from parents. It is a complex world out there, so we as parents can give them tools to handle their emotions healthily.
Encouraging open communication, and empathy, raising self-confidence, making them practice mindfulness, and providing them a supportive space are some of the ways we can help them. But being unique every child takes their time in the journey of emotional wellness. We should be there to guide them and provide them with our empathetic presence, develop resilience, and help them lead a life that is fulfilling and emotionally healthy.
This post is a part of Truly Yours Holistic Emotions Blog Hop by Rakhi Jayashankar and Roma Gupta Sinha’.
That Madras Mom 
Empathy and compassion are essential tools for nurturing an emotionally strong child. When they understand other’s pain, only then they will be raised as a genuine human. Loved reading your post, Sindhu. You have mentioned crucial points.
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If children are encouraged to share their emotions from an early age, I think they grow up as better adults. Also, they foster better communities where empathy and natural wellbeing are natural. your pointers will really be helpful for everyone.
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Sarcasm used to be my drawback as a parent. My words used to bring with sarcasm. Poor my oldest one had to take the brunt of it. As I grew old I understood better and I handle my younger ones better but my daughter was the one who had the trial and error applied on. But yes now I am doing everything to ensure their emotional wellness
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I agree with most of the points but being sarcastic can be funny too. I’m always sarcastic with my kids but they are aware and smile at the sarcasm. Of course, later I sit and explain to them why feeling low is okay and they should understand that everything in life won’t always happen the way they want it to happen.
Speaking of sarcasm, I miss Chandler Bing!
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You have raised and addressed a topic that is rarely talked about. Emotionally stable children will grow up to be emotionally well.
Yes, it can be. I have never been emotionally stable and I am still grappling with it. But, as a mom, I spent almost all my time with the kids, not monitoring them but actively encouraging and participating in everything they did. The communication should always be open and children will feel safe and share their issues and a parent can then address it.
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It was so difficult for me to become an ideal role model to my daughter. I have tried very hard to raise an emotionally conscious child. She is a compassionate and kind kid and thus she is vulnerable to be hurt by others. In these situations, it was very difficult for me to guide her in the right manner. I had to guide her to not stop being empathetic and kind to others. I think as she is growing she is learning to manage her emotions better now.
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How the child is feeling, what impact our words are creating on their minds, how easy they find interacting with parents, what is bothering them in life and countless other things we need to take into consideration for ensuring emotional wellness in the child. My parents used to feel that criticizing and never appreciating in front of people will actually make us work harder to achieve their set targets for us. Me and my elder sister knows how actually it feels or hurt the young hearts. They were definitely concerned about our wellness but the process was wrong. They remained parents but never became friends for kids. I am trying hard to be different, supportive, understanding and definitely with no compromise for discipline. The girl who always used to shy dancing as she knew she cant dance , now dance to make her child smile. Empathy is very important. An excellent topic picked by you Sindhu
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I totally get the importance of kids’ emotional wellness, especially in our busy world. The whole focus on open communication and empathy really caught my attention since those skills are vital for a child’s growth. Creating a supportive atmosphere and promoting mindfulness have been game-changers in my parenting, though I must admit, I have my doubts sometimes. It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone in that. Thanks for these awesome tips.
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Sindhu a v well articulated article dear though you have not given examples but every single issue is addressed very responsibly and this is truly an enlightening piece for all parents
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I agree with what you’ve said. And yes, being the role model is step 1, for sure. But in times we live in, external factors play a major role along with social media. Controlling them can be almost impossible, but yes, we as parents need to be vigilant of triggers and red flags.
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I think it all flows easier when you forget this is your child and instead think of them as a small size adult, who needs to be respected but also guided. Once you start respecting them, it is easy to not shout scream poke fun or hit!
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Your dedication to nurturing emotional wellness in children is commendable. Your insights and strategies are a valuable guide for parents and caregivers. Encouraging open communication, empathy, and resilience, while teaching mindfulness and problem-solving, are key components in fostering emotional well-being. Your words remind us that this journey is a lifelong one, requiring patience and consistent efforts. Your commitment to providing children with a supportive and empathetic environment sets a strong foundation for their emotional health. Keep guiding them on this fulfilling path to emotional wellness.
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Emotional well-being should be given importance in our lives. Children are delicate souls, as parents we can condition their thinking process. So, it becomes necessary to reshape our thinking process once we are a parent.
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Being a parent is a toughest role in the world. a parent has power to make or ruin a life with mere words. Outdoor playing and team sports have a very important role to play in the healthy mental growth of a child.
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A lot of us underestimate the importance of mindfulness and relaxation for kids. They are sponges and good or bad experiences affect them too. Glad we are all finally waking up to it.
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Absolutely, nurturing a child’s emotional wellness is as crucial as their physical health. As a parent, I’ve realized that being a positive role model, encouraging open communication, and teaching empathy are key. Setting realistic goals, fostering resilience, and promoting mindfulness techniques also play a significant role. It’s a continuous journey, demanding patience and understanding. Together, we can provide our children with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of emotions and lead emotionally healthy lives.
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Your comprehensive overview beautifully captures the essence of fostering emotional wellness in children. It provides a practical guide for parents to cultivate a nurturing environment where kids can learn and grow emotionally. The strategies mentioned, from modelling emotional intelligence to teaching problem-solving skills, are crucial steps in supporting a child’s emotional development. This is a helpful roadmap for parents navigating the complexities of nurturing a child’s emotional well-being.
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You have outlined your suggestions really well. This subject is dear to my heart as I am the mother of a seven-year-old too, and I believe that we must work towards engraining emotional wellness in our children from a young age.
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Half the emotional issues in kids today would be resolved if we could get them off screens and encourage them to have a social life. As parents we must appreciate where they deserve it and be gentle when they go wrong. They emulate what they observe from us.
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Having an open channel of communication is key to having an emotionally strong child. To direct them in a way, one need sto know what roads they have.
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As a mother of a five-year-old, I have the greatest respect for the feelings that she experiences during the day. I engage her in a few exercises to teach her about emotions and how to express them. I enjoyed your blog post and will definitely use these tips in the future. Regards
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I strongly feel we can definitely give these values to the child by teaching them the importance of empathy from childhood. And this can happen right from the early years of life and buy showing empathy at home. That’s how they learn and showcase the same amount of sensitivity to others outside.
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Everyone talks about emotional wellness but very few talk about emotional literacy which you have pointed out in this post. To identify the various emotions is all the more necessary in a child’s life which effects the way the adult he or she grows up to be
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I agree with the fact that emotional wellness can be taught and made second nature and the earlier you get started it is perhaps easier to engrain it in the kids.
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