Social Emotional Development Milestones: What to Expect Ages 2-6

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Two young children sitting together and playing with colorful toys

Key takeaway Emotional awareness is internal (recognizing feelings), while social-emotional skills are action-oriented (using emotions to navigate relationships). Social-emotional skills include five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and decision-making. Two-year-olds may express big feelings through tantrums; parents can help by naming feelings, offering comfort during meltdowns, and using books to discuss emotions.…

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How to Teach Emotional Awareness to Children

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A mother and young daughter lie on a white bed, facing each other in an intimate conversation

Key takeaway Why does emotional awareness matter? It’s key for brain development, social skills, and how children learn to handle life’s challenges. Children with emotional awareness and emotional intelligence build better relationships, achieve more academically, and enjoy better physical and mental health. Even before speaking, infants show emotion by communicating through crying and facial expressions,…

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How to Help Children Who Procrastinate

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A boy leaning on his crossed arms at a wooden table

Key takeaways Children procrastinate to avoid negative feelings like anxiety, fear of failure, or uncertainty. Teaching children self-forgiveness and self-compassion reduces shame and guilt, which actually helps prevent future procrastination rather than enabling it. Teaching children to break tasks into small, manageable pieces makes starting easier. Visual exercises like ‘paper doll chains’ help children understand…

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How to reconnect with your body – and your child

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If you’re like most parents, you find yourself asking ‘why, why, why?’ on a daily basis. Sometimes you’re referring to your child’s behavior–‘why did he decide to lick the floor at the grocery store?’ Other times, you’re likely asking yourself about your own behavior–‘why did I just lose my mind about an unfinished bowl of…

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12 Signs of Child Anxiety – and What to Do About Them

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a close-up black and white photograph of a child's face with a worried or anxious expression.

Key takeaways Childhood anxiety affects millions of children and often manifests differently than in adults, appearing as behavioral problems rather than verbal expressions of worry. Understanding your child’s anxiety helps you recognize behavior as communication and choose effective support strategies rather than punishing symptoms. What are signs my child has anxiety? Look for increased emotionality,…

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