Big Feelings, Safe Spaces: Parenting and Teaching with Social Emotional Learning
- Give N' Grow
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Updated: May 1
In today’s world, raising emotionally intelligent and resilient children isn’t just a bonus — it’s essential. In a heartfelt episode of The Give N’ Grow Podcast - SEL Series, host Ben Cecchini is joined by Angela Price, a seasoned elementary school counselor and licensed professional counselor associate, to explore how social emotional learning (SEL) can be a transformative tool for families and classrooms alike.
Angela not only teaches SEL in schools but has lived it personally while supporting her son through a stage four Wilms tumor diagnosis. “We were all going through this brand new stage of life... so we wanted to give him the ability to label what he was feeling, because if you can name it, you can overcome it,” she shares.
1. Modeling is Everything
Both Angela and Ben stress that parents are their child’s most influential teachers. SEL can’t thrive on worksheets alone—it needs to be modeled consistently at home.
“Narrate what you’re doing, your thoughts, what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling those things… Your kids are watching.” – Angela Price
Modeling emotional regulation helps normalize the expression of feelings and teaches kids how to respond to their own. Even when it feels awkward, Angela encourages parents to push through. “It did feel strange at first, but the more you do it, the more natural it becomes.”
2. Give Kids Something to Say
A major theme is equipping children with the language they need to process their emotions.
“The greatest gift you can give someone is something to say.” – Angela Price (quoting a former professor)
This means labeling emotions out loud (“I’m feeling frustrated because traffic made me late”) and encouraging kids to do the same. When kids can name their emotions, they can better understand and manage them.
3. Create Safe Spaces for Big Feelings
Children, especially when young, can be overwhelmed by emotions like anger or sadness. Angela highlights the importance of creating space—not punishment—for those emotions.
“It’s okay to feel these really big emotions, but there are just some things that it’s not okay to do, like slam doors or hit.”
Angela’s approach includes validating the emotion, offering space for de-escalation, and setting boundaries around behavior—not feelings. Recognizing cues like relaxed shoulders or re-established eye contact helps parents know when to re-engage and support the processing phase.
4. Use Role Play and Creativity to Teach Empathy
SEL isn’t just about self-awareness—it’s about connection. Angela recommends role-playing everyday scenarios to build empathy.
“Have them slip into the shoes of that friend at school and act out what it feels like.”
Use real-life or imagined scenarios, and allow your child to “wear someone else’s shoes” in a playful way. Creative expression like drawing or sculpting feelings out of Play-Doh also deepens understanding.
5. Friendship Skills Start at Home
Helping kids develop and maintain friendships is another key part of SEL. Angela encourages parents to check in daily:
“Who did you play with? What did y’all do?”
She also highlights the importance of modeling healthy adult friendships, encouraging reciprocity, and providing social exposure through sports or community events.
6. Don’t Take It Personally
One of the most grounding reminders for parents:
“Don’t always take it so personally. Kids are still learning how the world works.”
When children melt down, it’s developmentally appropriate—not a reflection of your parenting. Keeping calm and regulated yourself is key to helping your child do the same.
SEL is not a box to check; it’s a lifestyle. From role-playing empathy to narrating emotions in real time, Angela and Ben remind us that building a resilient, emotionally intelligent child starts with everyday habits. And the good news? It’s never too late to start.
📚 Resources Mentioned
Books by Julia Cook
Confident Parents, Confident Kids by Jennifer S. Miller