Sometimes a child’s big feeling is simply too big to fit into a sentence.
In those moments, instead of searching for the right words, we can offer another way out: drawing, scribbling, tearing paper, painting, playing or moving.
The shoes that were too small
The other day, Gabriel wanted to wear a pair of shoes he loves.
The problem was that they had become too small.
And to him, that was not a small problem.
I could have said:
It was true. And completely useless in that moment.
So I suggested that he show me how upset he was by tearing paper.
He ripped off a huge piece. Then another. Then another.
Little by little, his body relaxed. A smile appeared.
The feeling had found somewhere to go.
What can we do when words are not enough?
We gathered up the pieces and stuffed them into his old shoes.
It was completely ridiculous. And it made us laugh.
The shoes were still too small. But the storm had passed.
Young children do not always process emotions through words. They also use their bodies, play and creativity.
So sometimes, instead of asking again, “What’s wrong?”, we can offer:
The little bug to remember
Our instinct is often to try to stop the meltdown.
But sometimes the shortest route is not to stop the feeling. It is to help the child move through it safely.
And some days, a simple sheet of paper is enough.
