Psych 101: Label the Feeling!

“I’m fine…I’m okay…I don’t know” are inappropriate responses when one is asked how they are feeling. How can one regulate their emotions if they do not even know what or how they are feeling?! 

One of the most important skills and stepping stones for children and adolescents to learn for emotional regulation is identifying their own emotions by putting a label on them. In this particular case, ‘labeling’ is a good thing to do!

Typically, if they are having difficulty with this skill, they are unable to fully and appropriately cope and manage their own emotions, thoughts and actions. They may also struggle with identifying and responding appropriately to emotions in others, which can lead to additional intra- and interpersonal challenges. 

The good news though (because there is always a bright side): Children and adolescents can be taught how to label their feelings through direct instruction, modeling, immediate feedback, visuals, and games just to name a few strategies.

Think of the short- and long-term benefits to just having mastered this one social-emotional skill?!?!