At Gingerbread House – Mt. Orab, we believe that helping children grow emotionally is just as important as helping them learn letters and numbers. A child’s ability to recognize, express, and manage their emotions forms the foundation for lifelong success in school, relationships, and beyond. Our teachers are not just educators; they are emotional guides, helping each child feel seen, heard, and valued. Here’s how we support your child’s emotional needs in the classroom and how you can continue this care at home.
What Does Emotional Development Look Like?
Every age comes with its own set of emotional milestones. Understanding what’s typical helps us respond to children with patience and empathy.
- Infants (0–12 months) may show distress by crying, begin to smile socially, and form strong attachments to caregivers. We all talk about Stranger Danger or have enjoyed the joy “Peek-a-Boo” brings to a baby.
- Toddlers (1–3 years) start to express big feelings like frustration and joy but struggle with self-regulation. This is everything from the excitement of seeing the garbage truck to the devastation of the wrong color cup at dinner.
- Preschoolers (3–5 years) begin to understand others’ feelings, take turns, and manage conflict though they still need lots of support. You know you are here when you have to keep the band aids handy and praise even the smallest accomplishment as though it is an Olympic achievement.
How Gingerbread House Supports Emotional Growth
Here are just a few ways our teachers help nurture emotional intelligence in the classroom:
- Emotion Coaching: Our educators use calm, simple language to help children name and understand their feelings. For example: “I see you’re upset because your block tower fell. That can feel frustrating!” This helps children connect emotions to words, a key step in emotional literacy.
- Peace Corners & Calming Tools: Children need safe spaces to regroup. Our classrooms include cozy corners where children can relax, read a book, or use tools like breathing balls and sensory bottles to soothe themselves.
- Modeling Empathy and Respect: Children watch and learn from adult behavior. Our teachers demonstrate kindness, active listening, and conflict resolution skills throughout the day by giving children real-life examples to copy.
- Consistent Routines: Predictable routines help children feel secure and reduce anxiety. Whether it’s circle time, snack, or outdoor play, knowing what comes next makes transitions easier and more peaceful.
Ways Parents Can Support Emotional Development at Home
When parents and teachers work together, children thrive. Here’s how you can extend classroom strategies into your home life:
- Use Feeling Words Daily: Start using words like happy, sad, angry, excited, frustrated, and proud in everyday conversations. Books like The Color Monster and How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad? are great emotional vocabulary builders.
- Create a Calm-Down Space: Just like at school, create a quiet place with pillows, soft lighting, or a favorite stuffed animal where your child can go when feeling overwhelmed.
- Practice Deep Breathing Together: Teach your child simple breathing techniques like “smell the flower, blow out the candle.” Practicing this while calm builds the skill for when it’s needed during big emotions.
- Keep a Routine: Simple, consistent routines (meals, bedtime, playtime) make children feel safe and reduce the chance of meltdowns caused by uncertainty.
A Loving Partnership for Growing Hearts
At Gingerbread House – Mt. Orab, we know that when children feel emotionally safe, they are free to explore, learn, and connect with others. By working hand-in-hand with parents, we build a bridge of consistency between home and school—so every child feels supported, every step of the way. Together, we can help your child grow not just smarter, but kinder, braver, and more emotionally aware.