Emotional awareness
Children’s awareness of and knowledge about feelings and emotions support them to understand what is happening inside their minds, bodies and hearts when big feelings occur, and to express these feelings in ways appropriate for the context. This includes children’s ability to recognise when they feel angry, upset, or over-excited and to understand that it is natural to experience a range of emotions. Children experience a range of emotional connections that often depend on the context.
Emotional regulation
Mokopuna will learn strategies to support themselves and others when big feelings occur. This is often called regulating or managing their emotions. Emotional regulation happens in different ways across a continuum from co-regulation to self-regulation. Supporting mokopuna to manage and regulate emotions in healthy ways should focus on them feeling and experiencing emotions and having strategies to calm or soothe without becoming overwhelmed.
Spiritual connectedness
Spiritual connectedness may include the energy of the natural world, ancestors, or a higher purpose. Spirituality means different things to different people and does not necessarily involve a religious expression. Spirituality can foster connectedness, meaning and purpose within humanity. Spiritual connectedness also involves supporting mokopuna to have harmony and balance in themselves and within their worlds.
Diversity of beliefs
It is important to support children to learn about and respect the diverse spiritual beliefs individuals hold, which may include the absence of spiritual beliefs for some. Mokopuna can be supported to explore and describe their own spiritual beliefs and how these connect with their identity, language and culture.
There are a variety of practices that can support children’s emotional awareness, regulation and spiritual connectedness, including the use of emotional expressions, cultural customs, mindfulness practices, and fostering connections with people and nature.
