Learn Emotions

Here's a great game for kindergartner's as well as kids going though some tough times. Have a ball with all the emotions labeled on it and have the kids tell something about them self's and that emotion.

Going around gives everyone a chance to tell and identify that emotion. Kids at 8 or 9 have cognitive thinking skills and can usually do this very well. While giving them a fun way to express or explain something about a feeling. Is a healing device and can help a child to grow and let go of some painful feelings.

Another great tool is the sandbox where children use the box to tell stories of their life. How the bad guy is really daddy hitting mommy. Or how the puppy got out of our backyard. While listening closely find out what these characters are resembling and why the are doing what they are. Kids are very good at details they just need time to organize their thoughts. While they play listen carefully to what they have to say. You may find your reading between the lines so, ask for why did that happen, how did that make you feel. And always reassure them it's not their fault. Kids somehow get the feeling that when things go bad that it's their fault.

The best expressive tool is art, Giving a child some paper and crayons they can depict how they feel about a person. Watch as the color usage is some what of an importance here. Colors have expressions or are connected to feelings. Listen and learn what your child is saying or / and feeling. There's a big story in there.

How to raise an emotionally intelligent child.