Children need to learn the words that go along with their feelings. When they can't express how they feel in words they will express their feelings in behaviours. For example, they may feel frustrated and instead of using their words they may hit or they may keep the feelings bottled up inside.

Parents need to give children the words to help them express their feelings verbally. Young children understand simple feeling words such as mad, sad, happy and scared. We can start by introducing these basic feelings and gradually expand their feeling vocabulary.

Other words for basic feelings:

Sad: disappointed, discouraged, unhappy, confused, lonely, hurt, ashamed, helpless, depressed, weepy

Mad: annoyed, angry, irate, fuming, infuriated, livid, defiant, jumpy, cross, furious

Happy: glad, joyful, calm, contented, confident, satisfied, excited, loved, eager

Scared: anxious, tense, unwanted, guilty, resentful, jealous, afraid, worried, terrified, lonely

Steps to Putting Feelings in to Words

1. Ask yourself, "What is my child feeling?"
2. State what you think your child may be feeling, "You seem really angry (insert feeling word) that you didn't get your way (insert reason)."