Did you know child emotions and child emotional health is an important part of their overall health? When you are stressed, anxious, or bothered, your body can become affected. People that are emotionally healthy have control of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They are able to face changes in life and maintain a positive outlook when encountering problems.
A “healthy lifestyle” does not just mean a balanced diet. The importance of regular physical activity, sleep routines, and working on mental health are all vital.
It is important children and teens learn how to express emotions. This correlates with their social emotional wellbeing. How a child feels determines if they will be able to relate to other children as children build relationships during their youth. It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to understand the emotional needs of a child and the child’s mental state. When we spend quality time with family, we learn more about our children and how to connect with them, creating a strong emotional unit that will build a child’s self-esteem.
Ultimately, an individual with higher self-esteem is more likely to practice physical activity and sports. This leads them to a better headspace, which greatly contributes to a healthy sleep cycle and normal eating habits. Additionally, what we eat can influence our emotions, our daily physical activity, and our quality of sleep- which form a foundation that maintains our emotional well-being.
How to ensure child social and emotional health and well-being:
Establish limits: Setting limits means containing, caring for, and protecting. The word “limit” is not a punishment; but rather, a containment. Limits help young kids live with security, understand which is the safe space where they can be free to do whatever, to be themselves. Establishing such limits can also help with child emotional development.
Encourage social and emotional development: Sharing feeling and expressing emotions reinforces the emotional development of children. To know and understand emotions and facing them head on can positively influence their attention span and cognitive flexibility, which can also lead to better academic performance.
Understand and show empathy throughout the emotional rollercoaster that children experience during puberty: The transition of a girl to an woman is a stage of drastic changes. Parents should guide their teenage children through this stage, giving them confidence, establishing limits, and promoting an environment of mutual respect.
Utilize communicative techniques: Communication is key. The majority of day-to-day problems with families under one roof can be resolved with better communication. It is necessary to understand our children’s worries, thoughts, and needs.
