The validation of children's emotions is a fundamental aspect in their emotional and social development. Recognizing and accepting the emotions of the little ones helps them feel understood, respected and safe, which helps to strengthen their self-esteem and their ability to regulate their own emotions. In this article we will explore the importance of validating children's emotions, as well as strategies and techniques that adults can use to carry out this process effectively.
The importance of validating the emotions of boys and girls
Emotions are a natural and inevitable part of the human experience, and children from an early age begin to experience and express a wide range of emotions. However, adults often tend to minimize, ignore or even repress children's emotions, which can have negative effects on their long-term emotional well-being. Validating children's emotions means recognizing the legitimacy of what they are feeling, without judging, criticizing or dismissing their emotions.
When adults validate children's emotions, they are sending a clear message. that it is acceptable to feel a certain way, which helps children develop greater emotional awareness and learn to accept and manage their emotions in a healthy way. Validation also strengthens the emotional bond between adults and children, creating an environment of trust and mutual support.
Consequences of not validating children's emotions
On the contrary, Invalidating children's emotions can have negative repercussions on their emotional health and overall development. When children feel that their emotions are not accepted or valued, they are likely to learn to suppress their emotions, which can lead to a lack of emotional expression, difficulties in emotional regulation, low self-esteem, and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
In addition, the constant invalidation of children's emotions can negatively affect the relationship between them and adults, generating a lack of trust, resentment and an emotional distance that can be difficult to overcome. Therefore, it is essential that adults commit to validating the emotions of boys and girls as an integral part of their upbringing and education.
Strategies to validate the emotions of boys and girls
Validating children's emotions is not always easy, especially in situations where adults may feel frustrated, overwhelmed or bewildered by the emotional reactions of little ones. However, there are strategies and techniques that adults can use to validate children's emotions effectively and constructively:
Active listening
Active listening is a fundamental skill to validate children's emotions. When a child expresses an emotion, it is important for the adult to pay attention to him in an empathetic way, without interrupting, judging or minimizing what he is feeling. Asking open-ended questions, repeating what the child has said, and showing genuine interest in his or her emotions are ways to practice active listening and show the child that his or her emotions are important.
Verbal validation
Verbally expressing validation of the child's emotions is essential for him or her to feel understood and accepted. Phrases like "I understand that you feel sad because you couldn't do what you wanted" or "It's normal to feel angry when something doesn't go as you expected" are examples of how to validate children's emotions verbally. Avoiding phrases that minimize or dismiss the child's emotions, such as "Nothing's wrong" or "Stop crying", is key to effective validation.
Non-verbal validation
In addition to verbal communication, adults can validate children's emotions through gestures and non-verbal expressions. Maintaining eye contact, nodding your head, hugging the child, or simply being present in a calm and understanding manner are ways to show the child that their emotions are valid and that they are not alone in their emotional experience.
Validation with limits
It is important to keep in mind that validating children's emotions does not necessarily mean accepting all types of behavior. Adults can validate the child's emotions while setting clear, healthy limits on how to express those emotions. For example, you can validate a child's angry emotion while teaching him or her appropriate ways to channel and express that emotion without harming others or himself.
Benefits of validating a child's emotions boys and girls
Validating children's emotions is not only important for their short-term emotional well-being, but also has long-term benefits in their personal and social development. Some of the benefits of validating children's emotions include:
Strengthening self-esteem
Validating emotions helps children develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence. by feeling accepted and valued just as they are. When adults validate children's emotions, they are conveying the message that the child is worthy of love and respect, which helps build a positive self-image.
Improved emotional self-awareness
Validating children's emotions helps them recognize, understand and manage their own emotions more effectively. By feeling validated, children learn to identify and express their emotions in a healthy way, which allows them to develop greater emotional self-awareness and emotional regulation skills.
Strengthening the emotional bond
Validating emotions also helps to strengthen the emotional bond between adults and children, creating relationships based on trust, respect and empathy. When children feel validated by adults, they establish a sense of emotional connection that provides security and support in their emotional development.
Promoting empathy and compassion
By validating children's emotions, adults also model empathetic and compassionate behaviors, fostering empathy and the ability to understand the emotions of others in children. When children experience validation of their own emotions, they are more willing to validate and support the emotions of others, thus promoting healthy and respectful interpersonal relationships.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Validating children's emotions is a fundamental aspect of their emotional and social development. Validating children's emotions means recognizing the legitimacy of what they are feeling, without judging, criticizing or dismissing their emotions. Through strategies such as active listening, verbal and non-verbal validation, and establishing healthy limits, adults can contribute to emotional well-being and the development of emotional skills in children.
Validate emotions of children not only strengthens their self-esteem, their emotional self-awareness and their emotional bond with adults, but also fosters empathy, compassion and social skills in general. By committing to validating children's emotions, we are contributing to the formation of emotionally healthy, secure individuals capable of relating positively to others.