When Big Emotions Show Up
Children’s emotions can feel overwhelming – for them and for the adults who love them.
Tears that won’t stop.
Tantrums that explode out of nowhere.
Fears that seem too big for the moment.
As parents, we can feel helpless.
But what if — instead of trying to quiet these feelings — we began to listen to them?
What if emotions were not problems, but messengers?
Feelings That Speak Louder Than Words
In childhood, emotions are not random.
They are how children communicate what they still can’t say with words.
What Emotions Are Really Saying:
• Fear may signal a need for safety and closeness.
• Anger might be a cry for respect, freedom, or fairness.
• Sadness often shows up when there’s loss, loneliness, or a deep need for comfort.
These emotions don’t come to disrupt.
They come to reveal.
The Power of Being Heard
When we take time to truly listen, we welcome the child as a whole.
We stop focusing only on the behaviour and start seeing what’s behind it.
Validating their feelings doesn’t mean agreeing with every reaction.
It means saying: “I see you. You matter. I’m with you.”
And in that moment, we’re not just calming the storm.
We’re helping them name it — and eventually, navigate it.
Stories That Heal
Emotional awareness isn’t something we’re born with.
It’s something we build.
And one of the most beautiful ways to build it is through stories.
Not just stories for fun — but stories that make space for fear, anger, joy, and hope.
Stories help children recognize their own feelings and give meaning to children’s emotions they often can’t explain.”
When a child sees a character cry, get mad, or feel scared — and still be loved — something clicks.
They begin to recognize themselves.
They find words for what lives inside.
Books become bridges between emotion and understanding.
And when those books bring both emotional intelligence and spiritual warmth, the impact goes far beyond the child — it touches the whole family.
A New Way Forward
Emotions are not storms to avoid.
They are paths to explore.
When we walk these paths together — with empathy, attention, and love — everything changes.
We give our children more than comfort.
We give them tools for life.
Written by Grandma Grace — the storytelling heart behind “The Colours of the Heart”, created by Debora Rossi.
Discover our picture books that help families connect through faith and feelings — see all books here.
For additional guidance on emotional development, the Child Mind Institute offers trusted resources for families.
Through stories, we create a safe space to name what children feel, fear, or need. When we take time to truly see children’s emotions, we build more than calm — we build connection.
