Self-Awareness and Coping: How Children Make Sense of Life Experiences

When faced with hardships or challenges, children often have difficulty processing their emotions. These unresolved emotions may yield random outbursts or behavioral issues. Therefore, it is important that you support your child in every way you can. Here are a few things you can do to help your child develop self-awareness and coping skills:

 

Put it into words

Before your child can learn to cope with their emotions, they must first explain how they are feeling. Young children often don’t know what they’re feeling — they just know it doesn’t feel good! When you teach your child what each emotion looks and feels like, they can better articulate what they are feeling. If a child can explain what they are feeling to another person, they can make sense of it themselves.

 

Identify the trigger(s)

Now that your child knows how to describe their emotions, they can identify the cause (or trigger). What experiences trigger their anger? Sadness? Happiness? When your child develops the self-awareness to identify their triggers, they can better predict and manage their emotional responses.

 

Actively listen and validate

One of the most important factors in teaching your child emotional intelligence is validating their feelings. When your child is explaining what they are experiencing and what triggered those emotions, show them you are actively listening — remove any distractions from your environment and make direct eye contact. Ask questions and express your understanding. When a child feels validated, they become more comfortable feeling and expressing their emotions. 

 

Seek professional help

Your child may benefit from professional help in developing their coping skills and self-awareness! 

At Geo Psychological Testing, we offer a variety of psychological testing for children. If your child is struggling to cope with their emotions and experiences, there may be underlying issues. Through close evaluation, the professionals at Geo Psychological Testing can identify the root of the problem and offer solutions best suited for your child and their needs. Contact us today!

 

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