Words Cool the Alarm
When people put a feeling into words, brain scans from UCLA/Princeton researcher Matthew Lieberman show the brain's alarm center quiets down. So when a five-year-old says "I feel stormy inside," they're not just describing a feeling — they're already starting to find their calm.
Try this
Build the Feelings Vocabulary Early
Some families keep it simple: stormy, sunny, foggy, bubbly. Try tossing these words into everyday chats — in the car, at snack time — long before anyone's mid-meltdown.
Practice on a Calm Day
What if the words only really stick when there's no meltdown happening at all? The open question is when you actually reach for them — before the storm, during it, or somewhere in between.
When do you actually try naming feelings with your child?
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