Emotion mirroring
Parent reflects and names the toddler's current emotional state with warmth, especially during hard moments. Toddlers are big-feelings beings. Agent coaches the parent to match the child's affect and label the feeling without trying to fix it.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Use this with a moment when your child is having a feeling — not a full meltdown necessarily, any emotion will do. You can also practise it when they's happy.
How it works
- 1~20s
Look at them. What's their body saying? Tight shoulders? Open face? Scrunched eyes? Tell me what you see.
Watch for: parent_identifies_child_current_affective_state
- 2~20s
Now soften your face to match their. If they's frustrated, your face softens into 'I see you're frustrated.' Say it gently: 'You're frustrated. That's hard.' Don't fix. Just mirror and name.
Watch for: child_registers_parent_reflection
- 3~60s
Don't move to solving. Stay. If they moves toward you, receive them. If they needs space, give it. Your job is to be available.
Watch for: parent_remains_available_without_pressing