Learning to recognise and express emotions: the role of a nanny

Emotional development is an essential part of raising a child. As a nanny, you play an important role in guiding children as they learn to recognise, name and express their feelings. This begins with creating a safe and open environment in which children feel free to show their emotions. By listening actively and taking their feelings seriously, you help them understand that emotions are normal and that they can deal with them in a healthy way.

An effective way to teach children to recognise their feelings is by naming emotions actively. When a child is angry, sad or happy, you can put this into words: “I can see you are disappointed because your toy is broken. That is understandable.” This helps children link their feelings to words, so they can process their emotions better. Books such as ‘De kleuren van emoties’ or ‘Het grote gevoelensboek’ can also help to make different feelings easy to talk about in a playful and accessible way.

Besides talking about emotions, play is a powerful tool for processing feelings. Role play with dolls or cuddly toys, drawing or music can help children express emotions naturally. For example, let them draw an angry face when they feel frustrated, or sing a happy song when they feel cheerful. Body language also plays an important role: by being open and expressive in your own facial expressions and tone of voice, you give children the confidence that emotions are allowed.

Emotional development goes further than simply recognising feelings; it is also about learning to regulate them. This means a child learns to respond to emotions in an appropriate way, such as staying calm when frustrated or asking for help when sad. You can support this by offering alternative ways of expressing emotions, such as taking deep breaths when angry or saying what is bothering them instead of shouting. By responding with patience and understanding, you set a good example and show them how to handle emotions.

Finally, it is important to give positive affirmation when a child expresses their emotions in a healthy way. By saying: “Well done for telling me you were sad instead of getting angry,” you strengthen their confidence and teach them that expressing feelings is a good thing. Emotional development is a process that takes time and in which repetition is crucial. By actively working with emotions as a nanny, you contribute to the child’s resilience and self awareness: skills that will help them throughout their lives.