Child Quote by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
““Parents of spirited children who are learning to manage their intensity well are talking about intensity and naming the emotions. They soothe the wailing baby by telling him that they understand it’s frustrating to wait for the bottle to warm. They tell the toddler that they understand she is angry. It’s hard for her to stop playing outside and come into the house. Soon, the children will be able to use these words themselves. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. And according to John Gottman, from the Gottman Institute, the research demonstrates that children who receive these types of messages are “emotion coached” and are more effective at soothing themselves and focusing attention. As a result, they do better in school and with peers, experience fewer behavior problems, and demonstrate more positive emotions.””
About This Quote
Explains emotion coaching for children, using naming and validating feelings to improve self‑soothing and social outcomes.
In simple terms: Teaching kids to label emotions helps them regulate.
Key Takeaway
Practice emotion coaching with children.
Themes
parenting
emotion
development
Mood
supportive
educational
Type
practical
research‑based
When to use this quote
- early childhood education
- parent‑child interactions
- behavioral interventions
Key Concepts
emotion coaching
Gottman research
Questions to Reflect On
- How can parents model emotion regulation?
- What language best validates a child's feeling?
A Different Perspective
Requires consistent practice and patience.
