An article written by Florence Byrd and medically reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD., supports that in the early years, your preschooler is a vibrant, emotional explorer discovering their personality. Emotional Development in Preschool points out that children ages three and four are deeply immersed in a world of rapidly changing emotions and burgeoning independence. They express joy and sadness intensely, often with laughter or tears. With limited impulse control, they act on their feelings, whether grabbing a toy or demanding a snack. As they grow, they start to grasp the consequences of their actions, learning that tantrums lead to timeouts. Developing a sense of humor and empathy, they find joy in silliness and comfort in comforting others. By age 5, they're better at managing emotions and expressing themselves verbally, though they may struggle with using hurtful words when upset. Fantasy play becomes a vital outlet, fostering creativity and social skills as they navigate their expanding world with increasing curiosity and independence.
Sausa Michaud's article “Tips for Promoting Calm in the Classroom” provides excellent strategies to support Florence Byrd's article. The tips help introduce and address emotional regulation. What I like about the article is that it addresses specific individual transition scenarios. After the class has had their snacks, if there is a kiddo who finishes his/her snack and is waiting for the rest of the group to transition to another activity, they could “notice a few things that match the color of the rainbow.”
Michaud also includes regulation strategies that address the entire group setting. For example, “Whisper: “If you can hear my voice, put your fingers on your nose,” then wait to see how many children hear and join. Repeat with another body part, sometimes quieter or slightly louder, to gain interest.
I hope you find these strategies helpful. Please include strategies to encourage and restore calm in your early childhood setting.
Mahalo,
Danny
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