Helping toddlers manage big feelings with Lovevery books and play
If you’ve ever watched your toddler melt down over the “wrong” color cup or your preschooler proudly help a friend zip up their coat, you’ve already seen social-emotional learning (SEL) in action. It’s the essential foundation for how children begin to recognize their own emotions, relate to others, and handle the intense feelings that come with growing up.
From birth to age 6, children are in what some researchers call a “golden window” for social-emotional growth. When caregivers listen, label feelings, and model the kinds of interactions they want to see, it helps shape how a child handles emotions, solves problems, and builds relationships for years to come.
Supporting social-emotional learning by stage
A young child’s brain is developing rapidly, which means what they can understand—and how you can support them—changes quickly through this stage. Understanding typical developmental skills and setting realistic expectations at each age can help both you and your child feel more confident and connected.
Ages 2 to 3: Naming and recognizing emotions
Toddlers experience big emotions, but most don’t yet have the vocabulary to explain what they feel or why. This is the time to help them build an emotional vocabulary and start making connections between how they feel inside and what those feelings mean.
Start by naming emotions and linking them to real experiences. Focus on the primary emotions first: mad, sad, happy, and scared. Then gradually introduce more nuanced feelings like frustrated or nervous. You might say, “Remember when you dropped your bear in the puddle? You felt sad,” or “It looks like that friend might want to play, but they’re holding on tightly to their mama’s hand. I think they might feel nervous. Have you ever felt that way?”
Your child might not yet use calming strategies on their own, but now is a great time to explore them during calm moments. Practice together with tools like candle breaths or breathing games from the Lovevery books and magnets. Modeling is powerful: “I’m feeling frustrated that this is not working. I can feel my body getting tight. I’m going to try a few candle breaths.” Then show them how.
Ages 3 to 5: Managing emotions and building perspective
They observe peers, imitate others, and begin to share and collaborate in play. Emotional awareness grows, and they start to understand that others have feelings, too.
With increasing language and self-awareness, children begin using emotional regulation strategies—with your guidance. It takes time to notice body cues and choose a helpful response. Impulse control is still developing, so stay nearby and model what to do. Your calm presence and consistent practice help reinforce what they’re learning.
Keep naming emotions, pointing out body cues, and encouraging use of known strategies. Recognizing when big feelings start and knowing what to do next is the foundation of self-regulation.
Age 5 and beyond: Reflection and empathy
By 5, many children can understand more complex emotions and reflect on how their actions affect others. Their brains are working hard to build self-control and perspective-taking skills, but regulating emotions in the moment can still be hard.
Continue offering calm support and modeling regulation. Invite your child to reflect after a tough moment: What did they feel? What helped? Planning ahead can help your child feel more prepared and in control when emotions run high.
Lovevery books and playthings that support emotional learning
Lovevery’s SEL tools are designed to support children from around age 2. The collection includes books, magnets, and games to build emotional vocabulary, explore calming strategies, and understand how emotions look and feel in themselves and others.
Toddler Emotions Mini Kit
This kit helps toddlers begin to name feelings and explore self-regulation strategies in a playful, supportive way. It includes books, tactile elements, and calming tools to make abstract concepts more tangible.
The Emotion Book Set
Twelve short stories introduce primary emotions like mad, sad, happy, and scared through relatable everyday moments. Real photos and simple stories help children connect with and identify their own feelings.
The Friendship Book Set
The Friendship Book Set includes 10 stories that teach your child the social emotional skills they need to navigate relationships and be a great friend. Books about children in relatable situations—like feeling excluded or not wanting to share—help your child develop the tools they’ll need for the rest of their life.
‘Maddie in the Garden’ book
This interactive story introduces calming tools like deep breathing and mindfulness. As Maddie and her grandma explore the garden, your child can trace birds in the sky and count fingers and toes—building skills they can use later.
‘Stronger than That’ book
This reassuring story reminds children that your love is strong enough for even their biggest feelings. Whimsical illustrations and thoughtful language invite connection and reflection.
Tantrums & Feelings Course Pack
Led by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson and the psychologists from Mind & Child, this course offers simple, effective strategies to calm tantrums and support emotional development. It’s free with a Play Kit Subscription in the Lovevery App.
Keep reading
12 - 48 Months
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
The best screen-free travel toys for babies, toddlers & preschoolers
From restaurant waits to long flights, short stretches of sitting still can feel endless with a young child. Lovevery’s new on-the-go Mini Kits offer simple, screen-free, stage-based play designed for travel and everyday outings. Here’s how to find the right kit for your child’s age and wherever you’re headed next.
12 - 48 Months
Building emotional learning with the Feel it All Mini Kit
The Feel it All Mini Kit from Lovevery supports young children as they begin to understand their feelings through simple books, hands-on play, and calming tools. With gentle guidance and everyday practice, these small moments of learning help build early emotional awareness and confidence that grow over time.
12 - 48 Months
Helping toddlers manage big feelings with Lovevery books and play
Toddlers’ “big feelings” are part of how they learn. With calm support—naming emotions, offering simple coping tools, and practicing through books and play—kids build the skills to handle hard moments over time.