Thereβs a reason lots of good parents say to babies stuff like
βYouβre excited to go to the park!β
βOh, it makes you mad that we canβt go outside.β
And then when the babies get a little bit older the parents can say
βYou seem upset. Are you sad?β
βAre you excited that gramma is coming over today?β
Which lets the kid (who is learning to utilize speech) respond with yes or no, which may prompt more questions, like
βSo you arenβt sad, are you angry?β
βYes, does it make you happy when gramma is here?β
And then, finally, when the child is learning to use language in a more complex way, the parents can say,
βHow does it make you feel?β
βWhy are you feeling like that?β
And itβs all about teaching emotional awareness. I really reccomend using the process on yourself. Learn to ask, βam I happy?β βAm I sad?β βAm I anxious?β
Then practice identifying, out loud or on paper if you can, βIβm happy.β βIβm upset.β βIβm sad.β βIβm anxious.β
Final step: βWhy am I feeling anxious? Iβm still thinking about that awkward conversation earlier.β βWhy am I happy? Itβs such a beautiful day outside.β βWhy am I sad? None of my friends are responding to my messages.β
It really helps you notice patterns (βIβm more likely to be happy when Iβm around this person.β βWhen I havenβt eaten, I often feel angry.β βIf I donβt plan ahead, I get anxious.β) which is the first step in avoiding things and people that are bad for you and encouraging things and people that are good.
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