help young children explain their emotions with the moodsters :: giveaway

Lately I’ve noticed my two-year-old having a hard time expressing his feelings. In fact, instead of using words of any kind, he leans toward two things: 1. destruction and 2. biting. These behaviors are mostly directed at his older siblings when he’s not the center of attention. And we’re at a loss as to what to do   When I heard about The Moodsters, new interactive preschool toys that focus on building EQ (emotional intelligence), I figured it wouldn’t hurt to check one out.

Child development and parenting expert, Denise Daniels, created these toys to help children understand and regulate their own emotions.  After working with children in many capacities, Daniels started The National Childhood Grief Institute. While working with children experiencing grief, she realized that many children couldn’t express their feelings so she made her own manipulatives to help children understand their own feelings.  In the Moodster products, Daniels focused on the primary moods children experience:  happy, sad, afraid, angry, and loving.

 

We tried the Moodster Meter and coordinating book.  I can’t say I’ve seen an immediate change in my toddler (because that would be nothing short of miraculous) but I have noticed that I’m much more apt to talk to him about his feelings.  Instead of immediately getting frustrated with him, I’ll pause and ask “How are you feeling?  Can you tell me why you bit your sister?  What did you want her to do? Instead of biting, could you tell her what you want?”  Admittedly, as a busy mom, I often just remove him from the situation and leave it at that.  But that’s not teaching him anything and it’s certainly not helping him understand his anger.  So, even if the Moodster Meter just helps me remember to slow down and help him process things, I think that’s a good start.  And he enjoys pressing buttons and hearing about each Moodster and how they feel. Meet the Moodsters products are now available at Target.

A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!
One SIMPLE reader will win a Moodster Meter and coordinating storybook.

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