Smart Emotional Stimulation to Shape a Child’s Personality

From the age of 2, children begin developing relationships with those around them. They start learning how to live collectively, and friendships become increasingly important. Therefore, mothers need to understand their child’s emotional development to provide appropriate support that helps shape their child’s future personality and mental well-being.

Emotional Development in Children Aged 2–3

• They enjoy helping parents with small tasks and show a strong sense of independence, such as choosing clothes after a bath, putting on/taking off their own shoes and socks after going out, washing and drying their own hands, dressing themselves, and buttoning their shirts.

• At this stage, children begin to resist. Kicking, hitting, biting, and pushing may occur when they feel frustrated.

• They are very curious and eager to explore their environment. They enjoy asking questions and are better able to manage simple tasks on their own.

• Children may have “emotional storms” and become angry easily because their brains still retain many connections to infant brain states. Their emotional chart can resemble a sine wave with ups and downs of anger, disappointment, and despair.

• They love talking to others.

• They often show a witty sense of humor, tell funny short stories, sing catchy nursery rhymes, and engage in long conversations.

• They enjoy imitating adults, especially girls who like to “dress up.” They love to comb their hair, wear lipstick, and choose their own outfits.

• They enjoy playing with peers, begin to show interest in others, and start learning how to share.

Suggestions to Support a Child’s Emotional Development

• Stay calm and patient when your child has strong emotional reactions or throws tantrums. Try various approaches to see what soothes your child best—some need comfort, while others prefer to be alone to self-regulate.

• Don’t react emotionally to their outbursts. Always show respect and treat your child like a little adult.

• As their imagination grows, children might become scared because they can’t yet distinguish between reality and fantasy. React sensitively and gently to their fears, while helping them understand what’s real and what’s make-believe.

• Teach your child how to compromise during play, like choosing another toy while waiting for their turn with a favorite one.

• Teach your child how to share when playing with friends.

• Help your child recognize and accept differences among people, such as shapes, sizes, and skin colors.

• Respect and satisfy your child’s independence within safe limits. At the same time, guide them in doing basic self-care or helping others to foster independence while encouraging cooperation.

• Create new social activities for your child to form relationships, such as community events, group activities, or skills classes.

• When your child throws a tantrum, parents can use a firm facial expression and ask them to stop the behavior. If the child continues, try ignoring them and redirecting their attention. When they calm down, discuss the previous behavior, explain right and wrong, and even role-play the situation to help them reflect and learn appropriate behavior.

• Teach your child to name emotions from an early age, especially when they are upset. Ask them to express how they feel—sad, angry, etc.—and what they want. This helps them identify emotional states and later verbalize difficulties to work through them.

• Be a role model by managing your own emotions positively. For example, if your child does something wrong and you’re very angry, step away for five minutes to calm down. Then talk about your feelings and explain the consequences of their actions. This teaches them how to handle similar situations and understand that every action has a result.

• Distinguish between persistence and stubbornness. For stubborn children, apply these remedies:

  • Do not indulge every demand. Don’t give in when they insist on getting their way.

  • Encourage and reward obedience and good behavior.

  • Set clear household rules and limits that must be followed.

  • Avoid physical punishment. Instead, explain firmly but gently to gain their cooperation.

  • Set a good example through your own actions, and clearly explain what is good and what is not.

  • Avoid overly rigid demands. Use positive phrasing, such as “Please tidy up your toys when you’re done playing,” instead of “Don’t leave your toys lying around.”

  • Allow your child to express feelings of anger. Ask them questions like: “How do you feel?” or “Why are you upset?”

  • Give your child opportunities to observe a range of emotions in others, and allow them to express their own views. This encourages appropriate behavior in various social settings.

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These are helpful tips to support your child’s emotional development, which in turn shapes their personality from a young age. Wishing your child happiness, health, and well-rounded development—physically, mentally, and emotionally!

Dr. Nguyễn Vĩnh Hoàng Oanh
Vinamilk Nutrition Center