---
title: How to Help Your Preschool-Aged Child Manage Their Emotions
description: In the Early Years, children develop crucial social-emotional skills. Parents can reinforce their child’s social-emotional education outside of the classroom. Here are some helpful strategies you might want to try at home with your own child.
image: https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Oct2017_5969e.jpg
---

[![Silicon Valley International School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/)

![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/search.png) [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/hamb.png)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/social-emotional-strategies-for-the-early-years#sidr-main)

- [admissionstour and variable tuition](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions)
- [early yearspreschool and pre k](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/early-years)
- [elementary school kindergarten–5th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/elementary)
- [middle school 6–8th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/middle-school)
- [high school9–12th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/high-school)

**Locations**  
[Palo Alto and Menlo Park, CA](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/about/contact-us)

**Email**  
[admissions@svintl.org](mailto:%20admissions@svintl.org)

**Social**

- [![facebook](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417421_134652.png)](http://www.facebook.com/svintlschool)
- [![Instagram](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417426_134654.png)](http://www.instagram.com/svintlschool)
- [![Twitter](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417432_134655.png)](http://www.twitter.com/svintlschool)
- [![LinkedIn](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417433_134656.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/svintlschool)
- [![YouTube](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417434_134657.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/istpnet)

# How to Help Your Preschool-Aged Child Manage Their Emotions

[Social Emotional Learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning) [Early Years](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/early-years)

[blog home](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org)

 Early Years

[All Categories](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org) [culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [STEM](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/stem) [social emotional learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning) [community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) [inquiry learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning) [Achievement](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/achievement) [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism)

![How to Help Your Preschool-Aged Child Manage Their Emotions](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Oct2017_5969e.jpg)

share: [![istp-linkedin-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/social-emotional-strategies-for-the-early-years) [![istp-instagram-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/?url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/social-emotional-strategies-for-the-early-years) [![istp-facebook-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/social-emotional-strategies-for-the-early-years)

In the [Early Years](https://www.istp.org/page/international-education/early-years-center-nursery--preschool), children develop crucial social-emotional skills. By learning to handle themselves independently, respond to their feelings appropriately, and interact positively with others, students prepare themselves for the challenges of [Elementary School](https://www.istp.org/page/international-education/elementary-school-k-5) and beyond.

Parents can reinforce their child’s social-emotional education outside of the classroom. Here are some helpful strategies you might want to try at home with your own child.

#### Problem Solving/Conflict Resolution

**![ISTP_Oct2017_5424e](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Oct2017_5424e.jpg?width=287&name=ISTP_Oct2017_5424e.jpg)ABCD for Conflict Resolution**

1. **A**sk – What's the problem?
2. **B**rainstorm solutions
3. **C**hoose the best
4. **D**o it!

**Using 'I' Statements – **Create a poster of 'I' statements to refer to at home. 

For example: ***"I felt \_\_\_\_\_ when you \_\_\_\_\_ because \_\_\_\_\_."***

'I' statements help to separate the behavior that upsets the child from the person who performs it.

#### Family Teamwork/Collaboration

**Mutual Mural** – Decide on a theme with your child. Spread a large strip of paper on the floor or tape to a wall. As a team, create a mural based on your theme. Work together to be sure everyone’s ideas are shared and considered.

**Balance and Bounce – **With your child, hold the corners of a blanket or sheet. Put a ball in the middle and work together to make it bounce gently up or down without it falling off.

![ISTP_Oct2017_5969e](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Oct2017_5969e.jpg?width=300&name=ISTP_Oct2017_5969e.jpg)

Feelings

**Create a Feelings Picture Book –** Print or draw pictures of when we experience different feelings, and record an appropriate way to respond.

For example: “When I feel angry, I can...go for a walk, take deep breaths, etc.”

Refer to this book regularly to help your child learn how to respond to the different emotions we experience.

![Untitled.001](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Untitled_001.jpeg?width=268&name=Untitled_001.jpeg)**Make an Emotions Thermometer – **Create an “emotions thermometer” to hang on your fridge at home. Have the thermometer range from red (angry) to green (calm).

When you return home from school, ask your child to place a clothes pin on a color on the chart to assess how the day went.

**Read an SEL Book Together – **We highly recommend the excellent book, *Have You Filled a Bucket Today?*, by Carol McCloud. This book promotes positive behavior by showing children how easy it can be to express kindness and appreciation.

#### Mindfulness Exercises

**Mindful Movement**

- **Wrestle Hug:** With a big hug, encourage children to let out all the energy that is trapped inside their bodies. This helps children regulate their bodies and emotions. Lion Pose: Get on all fours and roar as loud as you can! Happy Baby Pose: Lay on back, hands to feet, big breath in through the nose, out through the mouth.
- **Lion Pose: **Get on all fours and roar as loud as you can!
- **Happy Baby Pose:** Lay on back, hands to feet, big breath in through the nose, out through the mouth.

**![ISTP_Oct2017_5637e](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Oct2017_5637e.jpg?width=300&name=ISTP_Oct2017_5637e.jpg)**

**Breathing Exercises**

- **Bunny Breath:** Five short breaths in through the nose, one long breath out through the mouth. Do as many times as necessary until your child begins to feel calm.
- **7/11 Breathing:** Breathe in for 7 seconds, out for 11. Making each “out” breath last longer than each “in” breath stimulates the body’s natural relaxation mechanism.

\*In 2020, the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) formally changed its name to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) to better reflect its bilingual programs, location, and international values.

related posts

[![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Oct2016_5346e-2-2.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2017/03/08/7-tips-childs-social-emotional-well-sheri-glucoft-wong)

[Social Emotional Learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning)

##### [7 Tips For Your Child’s Social-Emotional Well-Being, from Sheri Glucoft Wong](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2017/03/08/7-tips-childs-social-emotional-well-sheri-glucoft-wong)

[![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Social-Emotional-Learning-EY.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/more-than-soft-skills-sel)

[Social Emotional Learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning)

##### [More than Soft Skills: Social-Emotional Learning at Silicon Valley International School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/more-than-soft-skills-sel)

[![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Joan-Didion-Quote-620x230-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2014/03/06/guest-blogger-maryam-shabani-social-emotional-learning-responsibility-empathy)

[Social Emotional Learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning)

##### [Guest Blogger Maryam Shabani: Social Emotional Learning - Responsibility and Empathy](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2014/03/06/guest-blogger-maryam-shabani-social-emotional-learning-responsibility-empathy)

### Silicon Valley International School

#### The premier bilingual International Baccalaureate school in the West Coast. Grades preschool to high school: Chinese, French, German Programs available.

[contact us](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions/contact-admissions)

[![svINTL-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png?upscale=true&width=350&name=INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/)

[+1 (650) 251-8500](tel:+1%20(650)%20251-8500) | [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:admissions@svintl.org)

Cohn Campus (Main): 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Willows Campus: 475 Pope St., Menlo Park, CA 94025

[![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SVINTLSchool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/SVINTLschool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/?about=&gid=3678595) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/youtube.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCumv__A7wzB86YH0q8u7A)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Emily Warde",
    "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/author/emily-warde"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-08-03T20:33:23.810Z",
  "datePublished" : "2018-06-15T07:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "How to Help Your Preschool-Aged Child Manage Their Emotions",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP_Oct2017_5969e.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/social-emotional-strategies-for-the-early-years",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png"
    },
    "name" : "Silicon Valley International School"
  }
}
```