21/08/2026
Children are developing all the time.
And with development comes new feelings, new emotions, new experiences and new challenges — many of which they may never have dealt with before.
Kids are not always going to walk up to us and say:
“I’m really struggling with some tough emotions right now and I’m not sure how to cope.”
Instead, they may act out.
They may become frustrated, angry, withdrawn, tearful or overwhelmed.
They may behave in challenging ways because they simply don’t yet have the words, skills or emotional maturity to explain what is happening inside them.
Their behaviour is often their way of communicating something they don't yet know how to say.
As parents, it can be easy to focus on the behaviour and forget to ask ourselves:
“What is this behaviour trying to tell me?”
Every new stage of development can bring emotions they haven't experienced before — and learning how to manage those emotions takes time, patience and support.
They aren't giving us a hard time.
They are having a hard time.
And sometimes, what they need most isn't punishment or a lecture.
They need us to help them understand what they are feeling, give them the words they don't yet have, and show them that big emotions are something they can learn to cope with.
Connection before correction.
Understanding before judgement.
They are still learning.
