Little Kids, Big Feelings: Helping Children Name and Navigate Emotions

Ever had your toddler scream because their banana broke in half? Or witnessed a preschooler sob uncontrollably because their socks felt "funny"?

Welcome to the world of big feelings in little bodies.

Young children experience emotions just as deeply as adults — but without the words, experience, or tools to express what they feel. That’s where emotional literacy comes in. It’s the ability to recognize, name, and manage emotions — and it’s a skill that can be taught from the toddler years.

At Building Bright Futures, we help families in Frankfort, IL build emotional tools early. Because kids who understand their feelings grow into teens and adults who can cope, connect, and thrive.

What Is Emotional Literacy (and Why Does It Matter)?

Emotional literacy is just like learning to read — only instead of books, you’re reading feelings. It includes:

• Recognizing your emotions

• Naming those emotions accurately

• Understanding how emotions affect your behavior

• Learning how to regulate your reactions

And why does this matter? Because:

• Emotionally literate kids have better social skills

• They’re more likely to calm down quickly after outbursts

• They show stronger empathy and cooperation

• And they grow into resilient, confident learners

When to Start Teaching Feelings

The answer: Right now! Even infants can pick up on emotional tone and facial expressions. Toddlers may not use the word “frustrated,” but they sure know how it feels.

Here’s what emotional literacy looks like at different ages:

• Ages 1–2: Learning basic expressions — happy, sad, mad

• Ages 2–3: Imitating emotional responses; tantrums as emotional overflow

• Ages 3–5: Beginning to name feelings and understand causes (“I’m mad because you said no”)

• Ages 5–6: Developing empathy and trying out regulation strategies (“I need to take a deep breath”)

Tools to Teach Emotional Awareness

1. Feelings Charts

Hang one in your child’s playroom, bedroom, or fridge. These visual tools help non-readers identify emotions with facial expressions.

How to use it:

• Ask your child, “Which face shows how you feel today?”

• Use during transitions, like before school or after a meltdown

• Let your child point, even if they’re not verbal yet

[Pro Tip: BBF can help you create or print one!]

2. Books About Emotions

Storytime isn’t just for literacy — it’s an amazing time to teach emotional language. Look for books that show characters feeling, coping, or talking about their moods.

Great picks for young kids:

• The Color Monster by Anna Llenas

• Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis

• Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang

• Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley & Anne Miranda

What to do:

• Pause to ask: “How do you think she feels?”

• Help your child connect: “Have you ever felt like that?”

3. Play Pretend with Emotions

Use dolls, stuffed animals, or puppets to act out different emotional scenarios.

Example play prompt: “Bear is sad because his toy broke. What could we say to him?” This allows your child to explore feelings in a safe, imaginative way.

4. Name Feelings in Real Time

When emotions show up in daily life — label them gently and non-judgmentally.

• “You’re feeling really mad that we can’t go to the park. That’s okay. Let’s take a deep breath together.”

• “Wow, you’re so excited about your drawing! I love how proud you look.”

Remember: The goal is naming, not fixing. Let the feeling exist before problem-solving begins.

Teaching Emotional Regulation

Once your child can name emotions, help them manage those feelings using calming techniques:

Kid-Friendly Tools:

• Deep belly breathing (teach them to “smell the flower, blow out the candle”)

• Calm-down corner (soft pillows, sensory toys, emotion chart nearby)

• Emotion wheel (for older preschoolers to spin and reflect)

• Music, coloring, stretching — all great outlets!

How BBF Supports Emotional Literacy

At Building Bright Futures, we integrate emotional support into everything we do:

• Playgroups: Use books, songs, and games to explore feelings

• Workshops: Teach parents how to respond to big emotions with calm and empathy

• Developmental support: Identify social-emotional milestones and help with delays

• Connection Circles: Let caregivers vent, share, and normalize the ups and downs

We don’t just teach kids to say “I’m sad” — we help families learn how to respond with compassion and connection.

Celebrate Emotional Wins

It’s not about avoiding meltdowns — it’s about navigating them better over time. Celebrate when your child:

• Names a feeling without prompting

• Calms down using a tool you’ve taught

• Shows empathy to a sibling or friend

• Uses words instead of throwing something (even just once!)

What You Can Do This Week

• Print out a feelings chart and try using it daily

• Pick one book about emotions to read at bedtime

• Create a “calm-down basket” with sensory toys

• Visit BBF’s next playgroup or workshop focused on emotional development