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Understanding and supporting your child's emotions and behaviours

About this pathway

Parents play an important role in supporting children’s emotional development, helping them understand their own emotions and express them in healthy ways. Understanding your child’s emotions and behaviours, and knowing the most helpful ways to respond, is not always easy.  

Children’s behaviours – especially the ones parents find challenging or worrying – are often reactions to stress and emotional experiences. To respond to these behaviours, it is key to learn what triggers big emotional reactions for your child, acknowledge their experiences and allow them to safely express whatever they’re feeling.  

This pathway offers ideas and strategies to support parents in understanding and responding to the range of emotions and behaviours children might experience as they grow and develop. It is informed by the latest research about children’s social and emotional development and what parents can do to support it, as well as the experience and wisdom of families and the health professionals who support them.

Please watch the following video (1 minute, 3 seconds) and read the information on this page to learn how you can get the most out of this pathway.

Modules

Module 1: Understanding emotional development

15 minutes
This module introduces the foundations of children’s emotional development. Learn about the purpose of emotions, what to expect in children at different ages and what you can do to support healthy development.

Module 2: Considering your own emotions first

15 minutes
Learn more about the role parents play in children’s emotional development and reflect on your own parenting ideas. Consider how looking after yourself can help you respond calmly and consistently to your child’s needs and behaviours.

Module 3: Learning about emotions together

15 minutes
Explore steps for supporting your child as they learn to feel, express and manage their reactions to all their different emotions.

Module 4: Building emotional skills in daily life

15 minutes
Consider ways you can help your child build their emotional and social skills through your parent–child connection, their relationships with others, everyday conversations, routines and play.

Module 5: Understanding your child’s behaviours

15 minutes
Children’s behaviours – especially the ones parents find challenging or worrying – are often reactions to stress and emotional experiences. In this module, you’ll learn ways to explore the ‘why’ behind your child’s behaviours.

Module 6: Responding to behaviours that are challenging

15 minutes
It's often hard to know how to respond to behaviours that are challenging. This module offers tips for helping children learn to react differently and build their emotional understanding.

Start this pathway

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Urgent help

If you are feeling overwhelmed or low, or you are concerned that someone in your family is struggling or might be thinking of suicide, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If anyone's life is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000)

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We recognise and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, their ancestors, the elders past, present and future from the different First Nations across this country. We acknowledge the importance of connection to Land, culture, spirituality, ancestry, family and Community for the wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families.

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