Play is important for all areas of toddler development, including emotional development. Through play, toddlers learn about big emotions like frustration, confusion, excitement, happiness, sadness, disappointment, etc. Play is great for social interaction’s which support toddler emotional development.
Recently, we have observed the toddlers experiencing big feelings. We, the Educators, have decided to incorporate a familiar strategy. The zones of regulation is a curriculum framework organized around four coloured zones to describe feelings, energy, and emotions. We learn to regulate our zones to meet our goals and task demands, as well as support our overall well-being.
To benefit the younger aged toddlers within the toddler two program we will be implementing a new and different way of supporting emotions. “The Colour Monster, a Story About Emotions” book by Anna Llenas, is a wonderful story that supports children’s understanding about feelings, associating them with colours they might know. It supports emotional development through expressing emotions and feelings and helps children understand what it is they feel, and possibly why. It will also build understanding with empathy towards others. This story raises awareness and makes facing toddlers’ feelings just that little bit less of monstrous task.
One day, we all sat on the carpet listening aloud to the story as it played on the iPad and Mary held up the book. The children looked intrigued by the colours and listened attentively to each colour’s representation. Some children were able to recognize the different expressions from the monster, while others practiced colour recognition. We will be posting these colour monster zones in a quiet area in the classroom, such as the book area, to instill a sense of calmness. The children may be interested in the different colours to support their regulation process. We learned that red, orange, and yellow are warm colours and can create a sense of excitement, energy, and happiness. While cool colours like blue, green, and purple can evoke feelings of calmness, tranquility, and mystery.
As we continue to support young children with the self-regulation process, we hope to provide a calm and supportive environment. We will help the children identify their emotions, focus on positive things and communicate with them and let them know they are special!
