Encourages Emotional Expression (E4.1.8)
Sub Category: Social and Emotional Development: Self-Concept, Behavior Regulation, Emotional Control, Attention, and Social Skills
Credential Level: Level 2 •
Age Group: Infant, Toddler, Pre-K
COMPETENCY STATEMENT
Acknowledges, models and encourages emotional expression (encourages children to express feelings, labels feelings, thinks aloud to model their own feelings and reactions, makes connections between actions and emotional reactions)
DEFINITIONS
Teachers help children express their feelings by showing and encouraging emotional expression. This includes labeling feelings, talking about their own feelings, and linking actions to emotions. Teachers can use strategies like reading books about feelings, using puppets, and role-playing to support emotional development.
EXAMPLES
Encourages Emotional Expression
Age Group: Pre-K
Age Group: Pre-K
In this exemplar video, a teacher calmly supports a child who is becoming upset. Notice how he acknowledges the child’s feelings and uses a steady, gentle tone to help the child feel understood—an example of encouraging emotional expression in the moment.
Encourages Emotional Expression
Age Group: Toddler
Age Group: Toddler
In this exemplar video, a teacher promptly intervenes when a child starts to show signs of frustration. Notice how the teacher uses redirection with a calm tone. –an example of intervening promptly and sensitively when behavior begins to escalate.
Encourages Emotional Expression
Age Group: Infant
Age Group: Infant
In this exemplar video, a teacher sits on the floor with a baby who is upset as it becomes time to eat. Notice how the teacher acknowledges and labels the baby’s feelings and connects the emotional response to the routine—an example of acknowledging, modeling, and encouraging emotional expression.