Development of emotional skills
The emotional skills of parents and other family members reflect on the child’s life and the development of the child’s emotional skills. A child learns emotional skills by observing and experiencing reactions of the persons around him or her.
Guiding a child in emotional skills is the duty of every adult involved in the child’s life and the siblings, too, but the main responsibility of guidance falls on the parents. Empathy and emotional intelligence are important assets in the development of which parents and other adults in the child’s life play a crucial role. Parents should work on identifying their emotions and coping with their moods, especially if they were insufficiently guided to do this in their childhood.
Every individual has the need to feel important and that they matter and evoke responses to their emotions and signals. Emotion talk should be introduced as a natural part of a family routine. Free demonstration and discussion of emotions encourages all family members to have confidence in overcoming their experiences. Showing emotions and talking about them is also a demonstration of confidence in expression of self, needs and wishes.
References and other links
- Vauvan kaa – materiaali, Urbaani vanhemmuus- hanke, koordinointi Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
- Meidän perheen tunnetaidot, Neuvokasperhe
- Lapsen ja vanhemman varhainen vuorovaikutus, MLL
- Vuorotellen - opas vuorovaikutukseen ja kielen kehityksen alkuvaiheisiin
- Perheaikaa videot, Väestöliitto