This article was written by Kayelene Kerr from eSafeKids.
Research shows that emotions can influence:
Attention, memory and learning
Decision making
Creativity
Mental and physical wellbeing
Ability to form and maintain positive relationships
Academic and work performance
We can teach and model to our children recognising, understanding, labelling, expressing and regulating emotions. Encourage children to talk about their feelings and when they do acknowledge and validate their feelings.
We are all unique and experience the world in our own way. In the same situation people may experience a range of different feelings. Avoid telling children their feelings are invalid, wrong, silly or unfounded. Overtime a child may stop expressing their feelings and internalise them.
Talking to children about safe and unsafe feelings assists them to feel comfortable and confident in communicating their feelings and is an integral part of keeping them safe.
Recognising and responding to feelings
Naming Feelings
Sesame Street Activities
Expressing Feelings
Sesame Street Activities
Emotional Regulation
To view additional Sesame Street resources visit here.
To view a range of accessible and affordable child friendly resources read our blog: Kmart Books & Resources: Accessible, Affordable, Awesome
To learn more about eSafeKids workshops and training visit our services page.
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About The Author
Kayelene Kerr is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Body Safety, Cyber Safety, Digital Wellness and Pornography education workshops. Kayelene is passionate about the prevention of child abuse and sexual exploitation, drawing on over 24 years’ experience of study and law enforcement, investigating sexual crimes, including technology facilitated crimes. Kayelene delivers engaging and sought after prevention education workshops to educate, equip and empower children and young people, and to help support parents, carers, educators and other professionals. Kayelene believes protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and everyone can play a role in the care, safety and protection of children. Kayelene aims to inspire the trusted adults in children’s lives to tackle sometimes challenging topics.
About eSafeKids
eSafeKids strives to reduce and prevent harm through proactive prevention education, supporting and inspiring parents, carers, educators and other professionals to talk with children, young people and vulnerable adults about protective behaviours, body safety, cyber safety, digital wellness and pornography. eSafeKids is based in Perth, Western Australia.
eSafeKids provides books and resources to teach children about social and emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, gender equality, consent, body safety, protective behaviours, cyber safety, digital wellness, media literacy, puberty and pornography.
eSafeKids books can support educators teaching protective behaviours and child abuse prevention education that aligns with the Western Australian Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Framework: National Quality Standards (NQS).
