Emotional development in early childhood and how to support it

Ah, the preschool years — a whirlwind of giggles, tears, and everything in between! One moment, your little angel is handing you a drawing they just made. The next, they’re screaming over a missing toy. It’s a rollercoaster, alright! But beneath those ups and downs, your child is as confused as you are. Helping them navigate these emotions starts with understanding what’s going on in their little world.

The roadmap to big feelings

Your preschooler’s emotional development happens in three stages, each with its own milestones and challenges. 

Ages 3-4: Your little one may start to name their feelings, like “happy”, “sad”, or “excited”. During this time, they also learn to share and take turns. But when big feelings take over and words fall short, expect some tantrums!

Ages 4-5: Empathy emerges! Get ready for heartwarming moments! Your little one might comfort a crying friend or cheer you up with a little gift. Playdates also become more fun as they begin to enjoy cooperative play.

Age 5-6: Your kiddo is becoming an emotions expert! They’re using bigger words for complex feelings like jealousy and disappointment and are more aware of how their actions affect others. With school around the corner, they may express excitement, nerves, or a mix of both. Much like we do!

Now, let’s explore ways you can support your child’s early emotional development.

Game on to level up emotional skills

Learning through play is a great way to build some emotional smarts! Copycat Faces, as we like to call it, is the only time when making faces is actively encouraged. Make your best happy, sad, scared, and excited faces, and have your kiddo mirror those expressions. They’ll become a pro at non-verbal facial cues in no time!

New emotional experiences call for a vocabulary update with the Name Game! Use flashcards with sketches of faces and the names of the emotions on the other side. Soon, your kiddo’s emotional dictionary will be filled with words for different feelings!

Role-play is another underrated gem for early childhood emotional development. This is your little actor’s way of understanding others' perspectives and feelings. For a little empathy boost as they play, ask questions like, “How do you think that would make them feel?”

Arts as expression

Art is more than just splashy colors. It’s an emotional outlet for your kiddo! Experiment with origami, watercolors, and clay for an added sensory twist.

When your little hopper is bouncing around, music and dance can help them channel their energy. Crank out their favorite tunes and watch them shake off big emotions. On the flip side, when spirits are low, an impromptu dance party is the perfect pick-me-up! Win-win.

For on-the-go art expression, check out Coloring Pad and Music Time in Kiddopia. It’s all fun and no mess!

Watch (and read) and learn

Your kiddo’s growing brain is wired for stories. It's why movies and storytime make for great social-emotional development activities!

Step up the emotional learning with books like Sparky! by Jenny Offill, The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, and How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills.

Don’t forget your film fan’s favorite flicks! Animated movies like Finding Nemo, Toy Story, and How to Train Your Dragon are packed with emotional goodness! Not to forget, Inside Out is a must-watch for a peek into their own emotions!

Wishing you had a library right at your fingertips? We’ve got you! Our Little Readers section is filled with delightful adventures featuring animal friends like Jealous Mickey, Moody Gerald, and Angry Leo!

Right in the feels

It’s anything but easy to see your little one grappling with big feelings. But with a little support, they’ll become more empathetic and emotionally aware. Until then, we’ve got your back with fun games and artistic activities. So buckle up, brace yourself, and hey, enjoy the ride!