Just as kids grow physically, they also go through periods of emotional changes. Very young children throw tantrums over popsicles, elementary kids experience their first butterflies performing in a play, and high school students get down in the dumps about not getting into the school they wanted.

Despite their young age, children are sensitive to what they go through and nothing about their experiences is trivial. Emotional health is built from childhood and parents play an important role in helping children manage their emotions to live a balanced life and grow healthy relationships.

Here are some tips on how parents can help their kids cope with challenging feelings healthily in every stage of their lives. 

Help children identify how they feel.

The book “Name That Feeling!” is a stellar resource for younger kids under 10. It provides a simple guide for children to identify their emotions. While reading phrases that describe being happy, frustrated, or disappointed, they can put words to their feelings and express themselves better.

Turn dinner table talk into an opportunity.

While many families may eat dinner separately, the table is a great place to foster emotional well-being for older kids. Regular family dinners are associated with lower rates of depression, anxiety, and risky behaviors among teens and correlated to higher rates of self-esteem.

Ask your kids what their highs and lows are for the day. Maybe they made the track team or fought with a friend? Whatever it may be, let them process before you discipline.

Remind them that God cares about how they feel!

God cares about how His children feel. Whether it’s sadness over a broken toy or the triumph of getting the solo part in choir, God wants to hear from us, child and adult alike. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)says that we don’t need to live in anxiety. Remind your kids that God is there, and He’s always got his ear bent down to listen.

Ultimately, what parents can do best to raise emotionally healthy kids is to let them know their feelings matter by listening to them and allowing them to express themselves.