Teaching Children to Read Emotions

Reading allows children to learn about emotional experiences. As author and clinical psychologist Eileen Kennedy-Moore says, “Books can give children a window into the emotional world. Through the eyes of a character in a story, children can explore feelings and viewpoints other than their own.” A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh offers further support, finding that toddlers who were asked by their parents about how characters were feeling were more likely to offer a helping hand or share with others. While more studies may be needed, Kennedy-Moore says the study does offer several insights: “it may be that talking about feelings with an adult helps kids gain greater understanding of how others’ emotional reactions, which enables them to be more aware of when someone needs help. Parents' discussion of emotions might also communicate to children that feelings matter, and that we should respond in caring ways to others’ feelings.”

Psychology Today, 9/30/13