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The health of children, both physical and emotional, is of utmost importance to ensure their overall well-being. Parents usually promote physical well-being by encouraging children to exercise, play, eat healthy, etc. But what about promoting emotional well-being? It is equally important to focus on this, as emotional well being affects how your child interacts with the world, handles their emotions, and copes with the stressors they may face. 

What can you do to promote your child’s emotional well-being?

Show affection: This may seem very basic, but it is essential for you to show your children that she/he is loved and cared for. Showing affection lets them know that they are loved and valued, and builds their sense of self. 

Open Communication: Try to be as honest and open with your child as possible. Have discussions about things rather than always telling them what to do. Encourage them to be open with you as well, and establish a two way open channel of communication. 

Do not disregard their feelings: Never be dismissive of your child’s feelings. Be sensitive and attentive to their behaviour. Ignoring their feelings can have negative repercussions for their well-being. 

Encourage the use of emotive language: Children should know how to express their emotions verbally. Parents can be models for the same. For eg. if they are crying because their father is not home, they can be told “I understand you are sad because your dad is out, but he will be home soon”. Similarly, children should be encouraged to recognise other emotions like happiness, anger, excitement, etc. and express them in different situations.