From frowns to laughter: how empathy, consistency, and parent-teacher collaboration can help young children manage their emotions

Parent-teacher collaboration, along with understanding and steady support, can guide young children in handling their emotions

KEY academy’s third annual documentary screening

“With the right support and guidance, students can learn to express themselves in constructive ways, fostering confidence, empathy, and resilience.”

 Oluwatomilayo Isioye, co-learner in the Bees (ages 1.5 - 3 years) learning group.

The power of collaboration in emotional development

Every child experiences a roller-coaster of emotions, but learning to manage them takes time, patience, and the right support. Emotional regulation is not an innate skill - it is developed through consistent guidance, secure relationships, and positive reinforcement. One of the most powerful tools in nurturing this growth is a strong partnership between parents and teachers. When these key figures work together, they create a unified support system that helps students feel safe, develop coping strategies, and build the resilience necessary to navigate life’s challenges.

Young students thrive in environments that provide structure and predictability. A student who receives conflicting responses to their emotions at home and school may struggle to develop self-regulation. However, when parents and teachers communicate openly and align their approaches, students benefit from a sense of security and stability, which fosters healthier emotional responses.

At KEY academy, we recognise that emotional well-being is just as important as academic growth. Our approach integrates social and emotional learning into everyday experiences, ensuring that students are not only academically prepared but also emotionally equipped to handle different situations. Through regular check-ins, shared strategies, and collaborative problem-solving, parents and teachers can form a united front, reinforcing essential emotional skills.

Understanding emotional struggles in early childhood

As educators, we frequently encounter students who struggle with emotional regulation. It is entirely natural for young students to experience frustration, anger, sadness, or even anxiety as they navigate their early years. However, the way these emotions are managed plays a crucial role in shaping their long-term social and emotional development. With the right support and guidance, students can learn to express themselves in constructive ways, fostering confidence, empathy, and resilience. Without such support, these struggles can become more deeply ingrained, leading to persistent emotional and behavioural challenges.

Young students often lack the vocabulary or self-awareness to articulate their emotions, which can result in physical expressions of frustration - such as tantrums, withdrawal, or defiance. These behaviours are not signs of bad behaviour but rather an indication that a child is struggling to regulate their emotions and needs a supportive framework to guide them.

We saw this firsthand with a two-year-old in our learning group. She often displayed frustration by folding her arms, frowning, and withdrawing from interactions. These responses were observed consistently both at home and in school, highlighting the importance of a unified approach to addressing her emotional needs. 

Building emotional awareness through play and connection

Our approach was comprehensive, beginning with identifying her interests and passions to support her emotional growth. Rather than solely addressing her frustration, we prioritised emotional connection. One of our first steps was integrating meaningful interactions into her daily routine. We discovered that she loved singing, so we incorporated her favourite rhyme, Round and Round the Garden, gently tickling her palm to her armpit as we sang. This small yet meaningful gesture consistently brought laughter - even in moments of anger - helping her associate emotional regulation with warmth and joy.

Research consistently highlights the benefits of play-based learning in fostering both cognitive and social-emotional development. As Bodrova and Leong (2015) state, “Play helps children develop emotional regulation, empathy, and self-awareness.” Play-based interactions, like those we introduced, provide children with opportunities to practise essential social and emotional skills, including managing frustration and expressing emotions in constructive ways.

Beyond play, we introduced the “emotion face” rhyme, a simple yet effective strategy that encouraged her to express her feelings - whether happiness, sadness, or surprise - by mimicking corresponding facial expressions. This exercise helped her recognise and label her emotions, a crucial step in developing emotional regulation (Denham, 2006). In addition, we fostered open communication, reinforcing the importance of sharing, empathy, and problem-solving.

By combining play, structured activities, and open dialogue, we created a supportive environment that nurtured her emotional well-being. This experience reinforced our belief that when students feel emotionally connected and understood, they are better equipped to regulate their emotions, build resilience, and develop meaningful relationships.

Strengthening emotional growth through parent-teacher collaboration

Consistency between home and school is essential in helping children regulate their emotions. To support this, we worked closely with her parents, sharing updates, discussing challenges, and aligning our approaches. This ensured she received the same messages and strategies in both environments, reinforcing her learning and providing a stable foundation for emotional growth.

Research highlights the importance of this collaboration. As Sheridan et al. (2012) state, “Parent-teacher collaboration is crucial for promoting social and emotional development, as it ensures consistency between home and school environments.” When children experience a unified approach to emotional regulation, they feel more secure and are better able to develop effective coping strategies.

To strengthen this partnership at KEY academy, we hold virtual weekly parent catch up sessions, providing a dedicated space for discussing student’s emotional development. These sessions allow parents to share observations, ask questions, and learn practical strategies to support their child’s emotional regulation at home. By offering ongoing guidance and fostering open dialogue, we ensure that students receive consistent emotional support.

Transforming emotions: from frustration to empathy

Over time, we witnessed a profound transformation. Our student’s frequent frowns gradually gave way to smiles and laughter. She began to express her emotions in healthier, more constructive ways - apologising when needed and even sharing her belongings with others. One defining moment stood out: she willingly stepped down from a swing to let another student have a turn, something she would have previously resisted.  

This remarkable shift was the result of empathy, consistency, and teamwork between her parents and our learning team. As Hughes and Dunn (1998) aptly observed, “Children who experience consistent and empathetic responses from both parents and teachers are better able to regulate their emotions and form secure relationships.”

At KEY academy, we believe that emotional growth is just as important as academic achievement. By fostering a supportive environment where children feel understood and valued, we help them develop the skills to navigate their emotions, build meaningful relationships, and thrive both in and out of the classroom.  

The lasting impact of a supportive approach

This experience is more than just a success story - it’s a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when educators and parents work together. As Webster-Stratton (2005) highlights, “When adults collaborate to meet a child’s emotional needs, the child develops a stronger sense of security and self-regulation, which is foundational for social and academic success.”

At KEY academy, we’ve seen firsthand how prioritising empathy, consistency, and collaboration can transform a child’s emotional landscape. Frowns turn into laughter, frustration gives way to understanding, and challenges become opportunities for growth.  

We remain deeply committed to fostering these essential partnerships, ensuring every student feels supported, valued, and equipped to navigate their emotions and the world around them. Because when we work together, we empower them to thrive.  

Written by Oluwatomilayo Isioye, co-learner in the Bees (ages 1.5 - 3 years) learning group at KEY academy.