At BestStart Meadowbank, we believe early childhood education is not only about preparing children for school. It is also about helping tamariki understand themselves, build confidence, and learn how to manage their emotions.
Young children experience many “big feelings” every day, including happiness, excitement, sadness, frustration, worry, and overwhelm. As teachers, we see these moments as important opportunities for learning.
Creating a safe space for feelings is an important part of our everyday practice. When children feel sad because they miss Mum or Dad, or when they find something difficult during play, we focus on connection and support. We may sit beside them, acknowledge their feelings, offer reassurance, or give them some quiet time.
We want children to understand that their feelings are okay and that there is always someone here to support them. This approach reflects Te Whāriki – Wellbeing | Mana Atua, which emphasises nurturing children’s emotional wellbeing and sense of safety.
Helping children learn how to calm their bodies is another important part of emotional development. Throughout the day, we introduce simple strategies such as deep breathing, drinking water, gentle movement, calming music, sensory play, or spending time in a quiet space.
Young children cannot always regulate strong emotions on their own, so self-regulation often begins with co-regulation and the support of a trusted adult.
Much of this emotional learning happens naturally through everyday experiences. Waiting for a turn, sharing toys, solving conflicts, or trying something difficult all provide opportunities for children to learn patience, communication, empathy, and problem-solving.
We help children name their feelings, use words to express what they need, and gradually learn to find solutions for themselves.
Recently, one child who was missing his mum made a special card for her. He drew a happy face to show that he was happy at the centre and added a heart to show his love. A simple activity became a meaningful opportunity for emotional expression, creativity, communication, and connection.
Every child experiences emotions differently, and our goal is not to remove big feelings. Instead, we support children to understand their emotions, communicate their needs, and discover positive ways to feel calm again.
At BestStart Meadowbank, we value the opportunity to support our tamariki as they develop confidence, empathy, and resilience — important skills for both early learning and life.