In practice
Helping the child make sense of their body
In shortBefore naming feelings, help the child notice their body, practising in calm moments first.
The idea
Before naming emotions, help the child notice their body and separate what they feel, when, and what they think it means. This is practised in calm moments and small situations, then applied to hard ones.
What to try
- Draw a body outline and mark where things are felt.
- After running or laughing a lot, ask what changed in the body.
- When the child says ‘I feel bad’, ask ‘where?’ and ‘since when?’.
The common mistake
Asking ‘are you angry?’ when the child does not yet know what they feel.
Want to know more?
Start here
Short, plain pieces by the researchers and good writers.
Books
Short and accessible for parents: the brain predicts, manages the body’s budget and is shaped with others.
See on Amazon ›Amazon links are affiliate links: if you buy, Bounded Uncertainty receives a small commission at no cost to you.
The science behind itHow strong the evidence is, the model, videos and references.
How strong the evidence is
Promising Good studies, but little tested with children at home or school, or the step to daily life is our interpretation.
References
- Garfinkel, S. N., et al. (2015). Knowing your own heart. Biological Psychology, 104, 65–74.
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