Why Prioritize Emotional Development in Young Children?

Why Prioritize Emotional Development in Young children? How to Foster Positive Emotions in Toddlers?

Emotions are the inner experiences of children's psychological activities, reflecting to some extent their qualities and psychological traits. They play a crucial role in the holistic development of children's physical and mental well-being. Emotions are a double-edged sword; positive emotions benefit physical health, while negative emotions can harm the body. During moments of anger, immune cell activity drops, weakening the body's ability to resist viral infections. Additionally, negative emotions trigger the secretion of toxic hormones, adversely affecting the body. Hence, understanding the emotional development characteristics of young children is essential for cultivating positive emotions.

Good moods can be anti-inflammatory. American researchers have discovered that feelings evoked when experiencing artistic creations or natural beauty have anti-inflammatory effects. Participants' gum and cheek tissue samples were collected to investigate how positive emotions affect oral mucosal exudate. Results indicated that in individuals experiencing the highest levels of happiness, the content of interleukin-6 (a marker of inflammation) was lowest in oral mucosal exudate, signifying lower inflammation levels. Thus, taking walks in nature and enjoying art can yield unexpected anti-inflammatory effects.

Children are born with rudimentary emotional reactions, primarily driven by physiological needs and self-preservation instincts. As children transition to the toddler stage, the triggers for emotional responses become more diverse. Awareness and stability of emotions gradually increase with age. While some toddlers display traits of variability, impulsiveness, and susceptibility, stable emotional features can still be observed, such as attachment to parents and obedience to kindergarten teachers. This period presents an opportunity to strategically educate them based on their emotional responses. Nurturing positive emotions in toddlers must begin during early childhood and persistently continue. It requires patience and meticulous care, as hasty actions or neglect will not yield the desired outcomes.

Emotions act as catalysts for intellectual activities, where positive emotions of joy and happiness contribute to intellectual development. They enhance cognitive agility, behavioral liveliness, memory capacity, and learning progress. To cultivate positive emotions in toddlers, the following aspects should be considered:

1. Cultivate a lively and cheerful personality in children. Encourage participation in beneficial activities and interactions with others.

2. Foster independence by allowing children to perform tasks within their capabilities, especially self-care activities.

3. Develop self-control by setting behavioral standards for children.

4. Cultivate diverse interests by guiding participation in various activities and exploring different subjects. Identify and nurture children's unique interests.

5. Create a joyful home atmosphere where parents coexist harmoniously. Positive encouragement reinforces good behavior, and addressing negative behavior should involve reasoning rather than criticism.

6. Allow children to express their emotions. When parents' words or actions are excessive or unjustly blame children, permit children to defend themselves. In fact, parents should apologize to children when necessary, demonstrating respect and preventing children from feeling wronged.