Children learn how to identify their emotions and the healthy ways in which to express them through their parents and families. At times, some children, due to no fault of their own, do not have this awareness or developmental growth which can impact the way in which they cope with difficult situations in life. In some family dynamics, certain emotions may be more acceptable or expected – such as anger and upset- in particular with boys and the outdated stereotype that ‘Big boys don’t cry.’
Families may also model to their children their ways of managing and coping with life stresses through their own behaviours. This can be most commonly seen in their avoidance, aggression, withdrawal and excessive smoking and drinking.
By giving children the time and space to explore their internal world it can help them to understand their own struggles, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It can also help them to work through their emotional and psychological developmental milestones. Relearning these stages heightens their awareness of the self and their own belief systems. As part of the therapeutic process Kalmer counselling use a diverse range of creative media and play. Using these media enables a clear channel of communication to emerge allowing the child to naturally express, explore and convey themselves by using an avenue that is in essence their preferred way of relating.
