Identifying & Naming Feelings
Believe it or not, you can start teaching your baby how to recognize feelings from the moment they are born.
Ask any new parent, and they will tell you about the wide range of their baby’s emotions! From happy to frustrated, babies have emotions as variable as we all do – but far less control over them (for now!). You can lay the foundation for your baby to learn how to navigate the ups and downs of emotions later on by teaching them how to recognize feelings as they emerge.
- Talk to your baby! They may not understand what you are saying, but they will learn to associate your tone of voice with your facial expressions.
When your six-month-old cries because they are tired, say, “I know, you must be feeling exhausted! Let’s get you to bed.”
When your one-year-old falls after taking their first steps, say, “Aw, it’s okay! That was surprising, wasn’t it?” Help them up, give them a hug, and encourage them to try again.
- Shrieking with surprise, gurgling with delight, and crying from fear or frustration are all ways that babies express themselves. Label those emotions for your child to help them connect their experience with the corresponding feeling. It may seem far off, but soon your child will be able to use those words to tell you how they’re feeling.
- Maintain eye contact and exaggerate your facial expressions when you’re communicating a “big” feeling with your baby. Widen your eyes and smile to convey happiness, or frown when you’re feeling sad.
Little people, big feelings!
It may seem like you’re constantly trying to figure out why your baby is crying or fussing. Sometimes a simple diaper change might do the trick, but other times nothing seems to work. Do some detective work. Use this list for some common reasons why babies get upset and to help them manage their feelings.