Most babies enter the world with a cry. As they grow and develop, babies will change their cry to match their needs. Parents are often able to distinguish one cry from another, understanding that each cry has its own meaning. Babies also alert parents to what they are feeling through their gestures, smiles and body language.

Toddlers' feelings can be recognized through their actions: tug on Mom's clothing, grunts or clinging tightly. All of these actions may serve as triggers for the feelings being experienced. Parents may witness a temper tantrum triggered by frustration. Toddlers often lack the vocabulary to completely articulate what it is they want. Angry outbursts and "acting out" by throwing toys, hitting or biting are all common at this age.

For infants and toddlers it is critical that parents respond to expressions of emotion in a reassuring way, creating an environment of trust and safety for young children. This helps children feel confident and teaches them they are deserving of love in a safe world. To accomplish this:

• Respond to children's needs in a consistent and timely manner so children learn how to trust and what to expect.
• Sooth children when upset so children feel comforted and safe.
• Demonstrate to children healthy ways to express a range of feelings so children begin to learn to express affection, frustration and sadness. 

"Feel what you want and control what you do" is a good tip for teaching children to self-regulate as they grow. Children who learn how to self-regulate their increasingly complex emotions will be better able to maintain positive relationships with others and navigate the world they're becoming increasingly curious about!

"Feel what you want" acknowledges and accepts the full range of children's feelings. Parents can help children use their emerging verbal abilities by putting a name to what they are feeling. Parents can describe what they are seeing in their children -- and name their own feelings and model empathy by listening and not judging children's feelings. How they feel is how they feel. Sharing books or playing games about feelings also works. Young children can express different emotions through play. Action songs and rhymes are great for preschoolers.

"Control what you do" reinforces healthy ways to express feelings. As children get a little older, vocabulary gets stronger and parents can encourage children to use words as a means to describe and share their feelings and problem-solve ways to respond. Parents can model ways to express feelings and talk to children about what is expected of them. Hold older children responsible for their actions. Give positive feedback for good decisions and consequences when actions are harmful. 

Preschoolers can express their feelings and experience others' feelings as well through pretend play and imaginary scenarios. Puppets and dolls can serve as teaching tools to help children develop social skills and empathy. Journaling feelings can also be cathartic for school-agers who like to write or doodle.   

View a menu of all Learning Every Day activities on our Web site or learn more about developmental milestones at Born Learning.