Skip to content
Learning and understanding emotions from a young age is a critical aspect of your child’s development and well-being.
Parents play a crucial role in shaping social and emotional skills for children. You are their first and most important safe space. When big feelings hit, you’re often the first person they’ll run to, confused and overwhelmed.
A child who can express and regulate their emotions is setting themselves up for success in both their social and academic life. We understand that it’s a huge responsibility and are here to support you every step of the way.
At Clovel Childcare, we believe that a warm and nurturing space is what every child needs – a space for them to play, feel, explore, and create with boundless imagination.
Understanding Emotional Development in Early Childhood
We rely on our emotions to understand the world around us. Similarly, children experience a whole range of emotions but simply don’t have the tools to express them yet.
Experiencing a warm and supportive relationship with you can significantly help your child navigate through these complex emotions and feelings.
What is Emotional Development?
In short, emotional development refers to the process of learning, understanding, regulating, and recognising feelings in all of its dimensions.
At ages 1-2, your toddler’s emotional development is crucial. They’re beginning to learn how to express their feelings, even if they don’t yet have all the words. At this stage, they’re often experiencing core emotions such as joy, frustration, and sadness, which can sometimes lead to big reactions like tantrums.
Between the ages of 3-5, more complex feelings are starting to develop. Your child might begin to experience pride in their accomplishments, empathy as they connect with others’ feelings, guilt or shame as they navigate rules, jealousy in social settings, and fear as their imagination grows.
Why Social and Emotional Skills Matter
Every parent hopes that their child will grow up with great social skills, deep friendships, and positive mental well-being. But all of these skills are rooted in emotional intelligence and have to be intentionally nurtured from a very young age.
It matters more than you may anticipate. Emotional intelligence empowers your child to tackle challenges head-on, rather than letting overwhelm and frustration consume them. This is a key skill that will significantly enhance both their learning and their mental well-being.
It’s not just about understanding their feelings; emotional intelligence also means understanding the feelings of those around them. Your child’s ability to communicate, empathise, and express themselves will allow them to form deeper friendships.
If you’re unsure of where to start, our baby program and preschool program are a great first step forward to helping children manage emotions.
The Role of Play in Emotional Learning
Did you know that play is a fundamental part of your child’s emotional learning?
Children love to play. It’s an exciting part of their childhood. It could be playing with playdough, building with blocks, or even just running around. It’s fun, enjoyable, and can bring a lot of laughter. But there’s more to play than what you see on the surface.
How Play Encourages Emotional Growth
Here are some key ways play can influence your child’s emotional growth:
Imaginative play
Imagination is a beautiful thing and extremely important for a toddler’s emotional development. This can involve creating fantasy worlds, making-believe scenarios, or inventing stories. Expressing themselves in this way allows children to explore new ideas, experiment with different perspectives, and develop empathy.
Sensory play
Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch – these are all sensory experiences that help children make sense of the world around them. Think about a child on a swing: the exhilarating sensation of rising and falling is not only fun but also a form of sensory play that helps in the development of their balance. Other senses may include playing with toys, jumping, or tasting different flavours.
Social play
This form of play involves interacting with others, developing communication skills, and understanding social cues. When your child is actively engaging in social play, they are given the space to practice managing their emotions and learning to adapt to different dynamics.
Emotional Regulation Through Play
Every child experiences big feelings, and they rely on loving and attentive adults to help them make sense of their emotional world.
Engaging in play is key. When your child plays, they’re learning to explore these strong feelings through role-play and imagination. Sensory play, like playing with sand, can be particularly beneficial, offering a calming effect that helps your child emotionally regulate in a safe, positive environment.
Additionally, playing with other children is a fantastic way for your child to practice communication and learn how to resolve conflict.
Practical Strategies to Support Emotional Development
Meeting your child’s emotional needs is necessary for their well-being, and we’re here to walk you through some practical strategies.
For Parents at Home
Here are some gentle ways to provide emotional support for toddlers:
Create a nurturing environment
When you consistently offer affection, validate their emotions, and provide a sense of security, your child will feel confident to express themselves.
Expand their emotional vocabulary
Helping your child identify their emotions and name them encourages self-regulation.
Listen actively
Paying close attention to what your child is saying helps them feel heard and understood, which encourages them to be open and honest.
Encourage creative outlets
Painting, drawing, and storytelling allow your child to navigate complex emotions they may not have the words to express yet.
For Educators in Early Learning Centres
Below are some practical classroom strategies that early learning centres may use to support young children in building their emotional vocabulary and self-regulation:
Creating structure
Predictable routines and clear structures help children feel safe and secure in a classroom setting.
Teach emotional literacy
Using emotional language and discussion throughout daily activities can help children understand their feelings and those of their peers.
Provide tools for expression and regulation
Classroom resources, such as a calm-down corner and creative materials, can empower children to manage and communicate their emotions.
Clovel Childcare’s Holistic Approach to Emotional Support
We foster social and emotional skills for children by creating a nurturing ‘home away from home’ where they can feel safe, valued, and empowered.
A Home Away from Home Philosophy
At Clovel Childcare, we firmly believe that a loving environment is the most important foundation for your child.
Our educators are incredibly dedicated to providing a warm and supportive space for your child to explore their curiosity and feelings and develop their social skills.
Their voice matters here, and we go above and beyond to ensure that they feel appreciated and cared for.
Real-World Applications in Clovel Centres
Emotional learning in early childhood is a huge responsibility and can change the trajectory of your child’s life. We fully understand that.
Our programs prioritise play-based learning as a way to encourage your child to follow their interests and express their emotions.
By stimulating their curiosity, storytelling, calming activities, and interaction with peers, we ensure that each child develops healthy emotional regulation, empathy, and the confidence they need to thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the early signs of strong emotional development?
Early signs of a toddler with strong emotional development include being able to express a range of feelings, learning to share, showing curiosity about other people’s feelings, and engaging in play. Understanding your child’s growth stages can help you know how to support them better.
How can I help my toddler regulate emotions at home?
It’s important that you validate their emotions, help them expand their emotional vocabulary, model emotional regulation, and use imaginative play.
What emotional programs does Clovel offer?
We integrate emotional development into all of our programs, focusing on providing a loving environment, play-based learning, and caring support.
