Imagine the world through a child’s eyes. They are just beginning to discover this vast and sometimes frightening world of emotions. Joy is easy; it’s pleasant to experience. But what about sadness, disappointment, or hurt? Often, these feelings can seem so overwhelming and confusing that the child becomes lost, not knowing what to do with them.

When a child first encounters sadness, they might feel alone. Picture a child whose tower of blocks has fallen apart. At first, it may seem like just a game, but for the child, it’s important. Along with the fallen blocks, their hopes crumble, and a heavy feeling emerges inside. What is this? Sadness? Disappointment? Why have they come?

At this stage, it’s crucial for the child to acknowledge their emotions. They need to recognize what’s happening inside them. Without this recognition, feelings can seem frightening or incomprehensible. When an adult asks, "Are you sad right now?" they essentially offer the child a key to understanding themselves. The child begins to connect their internal feelings with specific words. It’s as if they are learning to recognize the colors of the rainbow, only here, it’s the palette of emotions.

But recognition is just the beginning. Understanding emotions is the next step. It’s important for the child not only to realize they are feeling sadness but also to understand why it arose. Here, parents can help by asking the right questions: "Why do you feel sad? What happened?" These questions guide the child’s attention inward and help them reflect on what has occurred. In the case of the collapsed tower, the child might say, "I’m sad because I worked hard on building it." Now, they are not just feeling the emotion — they are understanding it.

Finally, there’s the acceptance of emotions. This is the moment when the child learns not to fear their feelings. They understand that sadness is not an enemy to run from but a part of their experience. When adults say, "It’s okay to feel sad," they are giving the child permission to feel. This builds confidence: "It’s okay to feel this way, even when I’m sad."

Imagine how the child learns this step by step. First, they feel sadness but can’t name it. Then, with the support of adults, they begin to recognize, "This is sadness. I feel this way because something happened." And finally, they come to understand, "Feeling sad is okay. This feeling helps me understand what to do next." This process is a path to emotional maturity, and once the child goes through it, they no longer fear their emotions; instead, they learn to accept them as part of who they are.

Looking at the world through the eyes of a child, we see how important it is for them to learn to acknowledge, understand, and accept their feelings. It’s not just a defense against difficult emotions; it’s the ability to live with them, learn from them, and become stronger.