“I don’t know what’s wrong with him today.”
“She just exploded out of nowhere.”
Sound familiar?

Little kids feel big emotions — frustration, jealousy, anxiety, excitement — but they don’t always have the words to explain them. And when they can’t express their feelings clearly, those emotions often come out as meltdowns, defiance, or silence.

At MKandM, we believe emotional intelligence starts early, and that it can grow through everyday connection, visual cues, and simple, supportive conversations.

1. Why Big Feelings Feel So Big
Children’s brains are still developing the parts responsible for self-regulation, empathy, and logical reasoning. They don’t misbehave on purpose — they’re often overwhelmed and unsure how to cope.
🟡 What helps:
• Validation: “It’s okay to feel angry.”
• Connection: “I’m here with you.”
• Tools: “Let’s find the feeling together.”

2. Give Them the Words, Visually
When kids can’t say “I feel disappointed,” they may cry, shout, or shut down. Visuals bridge that gap.
🟡 Our Feelings Cards offer hand-drawn, age-appropriate visuals that help kids identify what they feel — from “anxious” to “left out” to “excited.” Each card opens a gentle, judgment-free door to talk.
Try this:
• “Can you find the card that looks like how you feel right now?”
• “Let’s go through a few together and see which one fits.”

3. You Don’t Need to Fix the Feeling
One of the biggest parenting shifts? You don’t have to “fix” your child’s emotion. You just have to hold space for it.
🟡 Instead of: “You’re fine.”
Try: “It looks like something’s bothering you. Want to tell me or show me?”
🟡 Tip: Pair Feelings Cards with a cozy spot and no pressure to talk right away. Sometimes just sitting together is enough.

4. Use Positive Feelings, Too
Don’t save the cards only for tough moments. Recognizing joy, pride, and calm is just as important.
🟡 At the dinner table or bedtime, ask:
– “What was your happiest feeling today?”
– “Want to pick a card that shows how your day felt?”

5. Model Emotional Honesty
Kids learn emotional expression by watching us.
Let them hear you say:
– “I felt nervous before that meeting today.”
– “I was frustrated in traffic, but I took deep breaths.”
This shows them feelings are normal — not something to hide.

When we help kids name, understand, and express their emotions, we’re giving them more than vocabulary. We’re giving them tools for life — for relationships, resilience, and self-awareness. And it starts with one simple question:
“How are you feeling today?”

🟡 Explore our Feelings Cards, a visual tool for big feelings and meaningful conversations.

#EmotionalIntelligence #FeelingsMatter #MKandM #RaisingEmpoweredKids