Fulton County Parents as Teachers and Early Head Start

03/11/2026

03/11/2026

One of the most important lessons we can teach children is that their feelings are always valid, but their behavior still has boundaries.

Emotions are part of being human. Anger, frustration, jealousy, sadness, excitement, disappointment. Children experience all of these feelings long before they have the skills to manage them well. When we tell children their feelings are wrong, dramatic, or unacceptable, they do not stop feeling them. They simply learn to hide them.

But validating feelings does not mean allowing every behavior.

A child can feel angry and still learn that hitting is not okay.
A child can feel frustrated and still learn that yelling at others is not acceptable.
A child can feel disappointed and still learn that throwing things will not solve the problem.

When we separate feelings from behavior, we give children two powerful lessons at the same time. They learn that their inner emotional world is safe to express, and they learn that their actions still matter and have limits.

This balance is where emotional intelligence begins.

Children who grow up understanding both of these truths develop the ability to recognize their emotions, regulate their reactions, and treat others with respect.

Over time, they learn that big feelings are not something to fear. They are something to understand and manage.

And that is a skill that will serve them for the rest of their lives. 💕💕

03/10/2026