Understanding and expressing emotions
Expressing Feelings
Children develop emotional confidence when they feel safe to express their feelings in different ways.
- Emotional expression helps children communicate needs, thoughts and experiences
- Children express feelings through words, behaviour, play, creativity and movement
- Supportive relationships help children feel safe sharing emotions
- Learning healthy ways to express feelings supports wellbeing and connection
Through a child's eyes...
“I feel safer when I can express my feelings and know someone will listen and support me.”
In everyday moments...
Children express feelings in many different ways throughout the day. Everyday moments provide opportunities for children to communicate emotions through words, actions, play, creativity and connection.
Simple ideas to try
- Encourage children to talk about how they feel
- Notice emotional communication beyond words
- Accept and acknowledge a range of feelings
- Help children find safe ways to express emotions
Building through relationships...
Children are more likely to express emotions openly when they feel accepted, supported and emotionally safe. Warm and responsive relationships help children develop confidence in communicating feelings and needs.
Simple ideas to try
- Listen calmly when children express emotions
- Acknowledge feelings without judgement or dismissal
- Encourage children to express emotions in their own way
- Respond with warmth and emotional support
Learning through play...
Play gives children opportunities to explore, communicate and process emotions in meaningful ways. Creative experiences and imaginative play help children express feelings that may be difficult to explain with words alone.
Simple ideas to try
- Encourage drawing, storytelling and imaginative play
- Use music, movement or art to explore emotions
- Provide role play opportunities to express feelings
- Follow children's emotional themes within play
Creating supportive spaces...
Children express emotions more freely in environments that feel calm, welcoming and emotionally safe. Spaces that support creativity, communication and connection help children feel comfortable sharing feelings.
Simple ideas to try
- Create quiet spaces for connection and conversation
- Provide creative materials for emotional expression
- Include books and visuals exploring emotions
- Create environments where feelings are accepted and respected
Supporting children across contexts...
At home ...
Children feel more confident expressing emotions when families create safe and supportive opportunities for communication and connection. Sharing approaches and observations with educators can help children experience consistency across contexts.
Simple ideas to try
- Encourage open conversations about feelings
- Accept emotions without rushing to fix them
- Share strategies that support emotional expression with educators
- Create opportunities for emotional expression through play and creativity
In early learning settings...
Children develop emotional confidence when educators create environments where feelings can be expressed safely and respectfully. Partnerships with families help children experience shared understanding and support across the important places in their lives.
Simple ideas to try
- Create opportunities for emotional expression through play and conversation
- Respond calmly and respectfully to children's emotions
- Learn from families about children's emotional communication styles
- Share observations and supportive approaches with families
Try this today...
- Encourage your child to express a feeling in words, play, art or movement
- Pause and listen without interrupting or fixing
- Acknowledge one emotion your child expresses today
- Create a calm moment for connection and conversation
- Notice how your child communicates feelings beyond words