March 28, 2025

Family Resources Newsletter – April 2025

Dear CDA Families,

Did you know that helping your child learn to name and manage their feelings supports how their brain develops? This ability is called emotional intelligence, and it plays a big role in how children learn, build relationships, and handle everyday challenges.

The great news is that emotional intelligence isn’t something kids are just born with, it’s something we can help them develop through everyday conversations, routines, and relationships. According to neuroscience, the science of how the brain works, early experiences play a key role in shaping how children learn to handle emotions, solve problems, and build healthy relationships.

This month, we’re sharing easy, brain-friendly ways to help your child develop emotional skills at home, supporting their development now and into the future.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is the ability to:

  • Recognize your own feelings
  • Understand the feelings of others
  • Manage big emotions
  • Use feelings to make positive choices

These skills help children become more confident, kind, and ready to learn.

How the Brain Builds Emotional Intelligence

Children’s brains are still developing, especially the parts that help with managing emotions and making decisions. When we respond to kids with patience, comfort, and guidance, we help strengthen the brain’s “emotional muscles.” Over time, this builds essential skills like empathy, self-control, and resilience.

This also means that children and teens are still learning how to handle big feelings and make thoughtful choices. The prefrontal cortex, a key area of the brain, supports self-control, planning, and problem-solving. This part of the brain continues developing well into a person’s mid-20s.

Everyday Tips to Support Emotional Intelligence

1. Name the Feeling: Use simple words like “You look sad” or “I can see you’re frustrated.” Naming emotions helps children feel seen and understood.

2. Stay Calm (Even When They’re Not): Your calm presence helps calm their nervous system. Taking a deep breath or using a quiet voice helps model self-regulation.

3. Teach Feeling Words: Use books, faces, or mirrors to talk about happy, mad, excited, nervous, etc. Try: “What do you think they feel?”

4. Problem-Solve Together: Ask, “What could we do next time?” or “How can we fix it?” This teaches flexible thinking and empathy.

5. Use Story Time as Teaching Time: Books are great tools for talking about emotions and how characters handle them.

6. Encourage Breaks, Not Time-Outs: Let your child take a “cool-down” moment in a cozy corner with a soft toy or book. It’s a brain-friendly way to reset.

Helping children understand their emotions is one of the most powerful things we can do as parents and caregivers. Every time you help your child name a feeling, calm down, or try again, you’re helping shape their brain and their future.

Activity: How Do You Feel Today?

Use this simple activity to help your child identify and talk about their feelings:

Materials: Paper and markers or crayons

Instructions:

  • Ask your child to draw a few faces showing different emotions: happy, sad, angry, scared, calm, etc.
  • Label each face with the corresponding feeling.
  • Every morning or after school, ask: “How do you feel today?” and let your child point to or choose the face that matches their mood.
  • Encourage them to explain why they feel that way and discuss what might help if they’re upset.

This activity builds emotional vocabulary and encourages open communication between you and your child.

Resources

1. Harvard Center on the Developing Child

How early experiences shape brain development.

Visit: https://developingchild.harvard.edu

2. The Zones of Regulation (Parent Tools)

Supports emotional self-regulation for children.

Visit: https://www.zonesofregulation.com

3. Books for Kids About Emotions

  • The Color Monster by Anna Llenas
  • In My Heart by Jo Witek
  • When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

4. San Diego Public Library

Free books, Storytime, and literacy events

Visit: https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library

5. Podcast for Parents: Little Kids, Big Feelings

Visit: https://biglittlefeelings.com

Upcoming Workshops

We have FREE workshops all year round. Click the button below for more information and register today:

Workshops

We’re Here to Help

For individualized assistance with resources or referrals, please contact our Family Resources Team via the contact form on our workshops page:

Contact Form

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CDA Reimbursement Schedule
Family is authorized with a variable schedule

Variable schedules are reimbursed for the actual care hours provided that are within the hours authorized. The reimbursement will not exceed the amount billed by the provider or the full-time (FT) or part-time (PT) RMRC listed on the certificate for child care services. CDA will not reimburse for child absences, provider holiday or closure days on a variable schedule. If the full billed/invoiced amount is not paid, the parent is responsible for the difference directly to the provider.

Reimbursement of provider non-operation days/holidays

The number of reimbursable provider holidays and/or non-operation days is limited to a maximum of 10 days per fiscal year. Once these allowable limits are exceeded, reimbursement will be prorated for future closure days.

Reimbursement of registration fees, material fees, insurance fees

Fees for registration, material and/or insurance may be reimbursed if the current reimbursement amount does not exceed the Regional Market Rate Ceiling (RMRC). Reimbursement of these fees is limited to one (1) per child, per fiscal year and will be made in a single payment when requested on the child’s attendance record.

Note: For providers with programs that have multiple fees in one year or where it has been determined that the reimbursement amount exceeds the RMRC, the excess fees will be the responsibility of the parent.

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