Finding a Daycare Centre Near Me Can Mean Prime Emotional Development For My Child

It’s certain many of you have to use the term “calm down” when talking to your child only to realise that they haven’t calmed down but become more agitated. Just like adults, children need to learn how to recognise their feelings in order to balance their emotions.

Recognising emotions are difficult, even for adults. It is a process that requires practice and even as adults we don’t always get it right. Teaching children to recognise their feelings from a young age can help them overcome the many hurdles they are going to face throughout adolescence.

Understanding emotional intelligence and ways to develop these skills within children is crucial for their development. These skills will remain with a child for many years to come and ultimately become embedded in their minds.

What is emotional intelligence?

“Emotional Intelligence is the ability to be smart about feelings – our own and other people’s. It involves being able to notice, understand and act on emotions in an effective way.” – Understood.org, 2018

Emotional intelligence consists of five basic elements which include:

1. Self-awareness: understanding what a person is feeling and how this may affect others
2. Self-regulation: how a person can control and respond to their emotions
3. Motivation: not allowing emotions to take over the accomplishment of goals
4. Empathy: understanding others feelings
5. Social Skills: developing relationships, building on them and understanding what behaviours will get a positive response from others

Daycare Centres: A Playground for Children to Explore Emotional Intelligence

As educators and parents, it is important to explore a child’s emotional intelligence and help them develop these skills through specific actions.

Open listening in daycare
It is important to listen without judgement. If your child is complaining about something or is facing a hardship, it is crucial to hear them out and avoid jumping to conclusions to fix the situation. Compassion and understanding are two important values which are underestimated. Feeling understood and heard is one of the best feelings and can help a child develop an understanding of their emotions while they are explaining them to someone else.

Empathising and letting go is what every child needs. Having their feelings and position acknowledged helps better prepare the situation they are in. Feeling understood is key in encouraging emotional intelligence as it soothes a person and strengthens the way they handle their emotions. It is important to show children empathy as they develop this trait by experiencing it from others.

Expression in daycare
It is critical to make sure you hear your child out and listen to how they are feeling instead of disapproving their feelings. Accepting a child’s emotions will allow them to understand there is no shame in the way they are feeling. However, if you choose to disapprove of them, a child may fear to have those feelings again which can force them to repress them. Teaching a child that feelings are a normal part of being a human is crucial in assisting their emotional intelligence.

Accepting your child’s emotions helps them accept their own emotions which in turn helps resolve and regulate their feelings and emotions. The acceptance of your child’s emotions also helps teach them it is not shameful to feel a certain way and they are not alone. It assists them with embracing their flaws and accepting themselves completely.

Daycare centres teaching problem-solving
Teaching a child how to work through their feelings and tolerate them without feeling the need to act on them is a valuable trait. Not only do children need to learn how to express their feelings, but they need to know how to create solutions to problems. Simply listening to kids and understanding them will not help them manage their feelings. However, teaching them to honour their feelings and handle each one differently can assist with their emotional intelligence.

How Emotional Intelligence Matters in Daycare Centres

Emotions play an important role in our lives and can influence a person both socially and personally. They impact children in particular ways, some of these include:

• Retention, memory & learning: a child is exposed to the world which means they are going to experience certain feelings and moods. A child who knows how to control their emotions, one who is generally happy and content rather than agitated or anxious is more likely to learn. If a child feels that they are overwhelmed with a range of feelings, it may lead to difficulty in thinking, learning and remembering.
• Decision-making and judgement: when you’re angry or upset, the decisions you make are not usually your best ones. The same applies to children. They tend to make bad decisions when they are experiencing a range of emotions, are sad or under stress. Regulating these emotions will help a child make better-informed decisions.
• The quality of personal relationships: if a child is unable to regulate their emotions, they will face hardships in holding important relationships. Being constantly angry, anxious or sad will create rocky relationships. However, balancing out these emotions will result in positive and healthy relationships
• Physical and mental health: emotions impact one’s overall health. This is why it is important for a child to recognise their moods and thereafter learn to manage and regulate them in order for them to stay healthy and happy.
• Effectiveness: positivity leads to productivity. A child’s ability to manage their moods control their anger and emotions will help them perform better throughout early learning centres and throughout life.

At each and every one of Young Academics’ daycare centres, we provide children with an environment that promotes openness, honesty and positive relationships.

We believe in creating a strong support group for your child and constantly want them to develop, grow and evolve into their best selves. Our beneficial programs are based on your child’s interests, knowledge and wellbeing.

Young Academics daycare believes developing emotional intelligence from a young age is crucial for their development and future success.

If you are interested in enrolling your child in a nurturing, loving and valuable environment, enquire now and one of our friendly team members will be in touch!

We are always looking for new children to join our YA family. Contact us now on 1800 668 993.