Little Feelings, Big Words: Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Early Childhood
Why Feelings Come First
Before children can share, take turns, sit for a story or cope with a tricky goodbye at drop-off, they need some way of understanding what is going on inside them. Emotional wellbeing is the foundation that every other kind of learning sits on. A child who can say "I'm frustrated" has far more options than a child who can only show it.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) recognises this, with a whole outcome dedicated to children having a strong sense of wellbeing. In practice, that wellbeing grows through small, repeated moments rather than one big lesson.
Naming feelings: Children who have words for emotions are better able to manage them and ask for help.
Reading others: Recognising a sad or worried face is the first step towards empathy and kindness.
Self-regulation: Simple calming strategies give children something to reach for when emotions run high.
Resilience: Knowing that big feelings pass helps children bounce back from everyday disappointments.
Belonging: Children who feel understood are more confident to explore, try new things and join in.
What This Looks Like Across Our Rooms
Across Chipmunks Childcare centres, emotional learning is woven through the whole week, and it changes shape depending on the age of the children.
Our youngest children start with faces and feelings. Babies and toddlers have painted paper plates and turned them into happy, sad and loving faces, giving them a simple, visual way to connect an expression with a feeling. On World Smile Day, children painted their plates bright yellow and added their own smiley features, talking along the way about what makes them happy.
Older children go a little deeper. As part of R U OK? Day, preschoolers used mirrors to explore how their faces change when they feel happy, sad, angry or excited, then talked about how we can check in with friends, listen to each other and show we care. These are big ideas for small people, and children take them surprisingly seriously.
Emotional learning also happens in the quiet, unplanned moments. A child comforting a friend who misses their family, two toddlers working out how to share a favourite truck, or a preschooler explaining why they felt cross during a game are all opportunities for educators to listen, name the feeling and gently guide children towards a solution. These everyday conversations are often where the deepest learning happens.
Calm Bodies, Calm Minds
Emotional wellbeing is not only about talking. It also lives in the body. Many of our rooms have introduced mindfulness and movement as part of the everyday rhythm, from yoga sessions and gentle stretching to calming breathing exercises and quiet songs.
One group created their own "rain yoga", inventing stretches inspired by the sound and movement of falling rain. Others have used magic stones and calming songs to help children slow down and notice how their bodies feel. These moments teach children that they can do something when they feel wobbly, whether that is taking a deep breath, finding a quiet space or asking a grown-up for a cuddle.
Music and dance help too. A spontaneous dance party gives children a joyful way to release energy and express themselves, while slower songs help them wind down before rest time. Over time, children start to recognise which strategies help them most, and some even begin suggesting them to their friends. That is when you know the learning has really taken hold.
Building Emotional Words at Home
You do not need special resources to support your child's emotional development. A few small habits go a long way.
Name your own feelings out loud: "I'm feeling a bit tired, so I'm going to sit down for a minute."
Pull faces together in the mirror and guess each other's feelings.
When reading picture books, pause and ask, "How do you think they feel right now?"
Try "smell the flower, blow out the candle" breathing when things get heated.
Notice and praise kindness when you see it, even small moments.
Growing Kind, Confident Children
Every feelings face, deep breath and "are you okay?" adds up to a child who understands themselves and cares about others. That is a gift that lasts well beyond the early years. To see how emotional learning is part of everyday life in our rooms, book a tour at your nearest Chipmunks Childcare centre.
