In a world where children are constantly bombarded with expectations, overstimulation, and silent pressures to “be okay,” the ability to name and express their emotions is more than a soft skill—it’s a survival tool. Caroline Goldsmith, a renowned child psychologist at ATC Ireland, believes that emotional expression is the cornerstone of mental wellness, self-confidence, and healthy relationships.
Yet many children struggle to articulate their feelings. They may act out, withdraw, cry, or become anxious—not because they don’t feel, but because they don’t know how to express what they feel. Caroline Goldsmith calls this emotional silence “the invisible barrier to thriving.”
Why Children Struggle to Speak Their Emotions
According to Caroline Goldsmith, children aren’t born with emotional vocabulary. They learn it through co-regulation, modeling, and consistent emotional validation. When feelings are dismissed or misunderstood, children often internalize the message that emotions are problems, rather than signals.
“Emotions are messengers,” says Caroline Goldsmith. “When we teach children to ignore them, we’re essentially cutting the phone line between their body and their brain.”
Caroline Goldsmith’s Tools for Unlocking Emotional Expression
Through her therapeutic work at ATC Ireland, Caroline Goldsmith empowers children—and their caregivers—with tools to turn silence into storytelling, fear into expression, and frustration into communication.
Here are some of the methods she recommends:
1. Emotion Naming Games
Using visuals like emojis, emotion charts, or storytelling cards, Caroline Goldsmith helps children identify feelings in themselves and others. This builds not only vocabulary, but empathy.
2. Create a Feelings Journal or “Mood Book”
Encouraging children to draw or write daily entries about how they feel fosters self-awareness. Caroline Goldsmith often uses mood meters or simple color systems to help children link emotions to bodily sensations and triggers.
3. Use Open-Ended Prompts Instead of Questions
Rather than asking, “Are you okay?” try saying, “Tell me about what happened today that made you feel something.” Caroline Goldsmith explains that open language invites rather than pressures.
4. Model Vulnerability as a Strength
Caroline Goldsmith teaches adults to share their own emotions thoughtfully. When a parent says, “I felt frustrated today, and I took a few deep breaths,” it normalizes emotion and demonstrates healthy regulation.
5. Practice “Emotion Coaching” in Real Time
Rather than correcting emotional behavior (“Don’t be mad!”), Caroline Goldsmith encourages guiding statements like: “It looks like you’re feeling really angry right now. That’s okay—we can work through this together.”
What Happens When Children Learn to Express Their Emotions?
According to Caroline Goldsmith, children who are taught to understand and express their feelings show:
- Greater emotional resilience
- Improved problem-solving skills
- Decreased behavioral outbursts
- Healthier peer and family relationships
- Higher self-esteem
This is not about removing difficult emotions—but helping children navigate them with clarity and support.
Caroline Goldsmith’s Vision for Emotionally Literate Children
“Emotions are not flaws. They are part of our design,” says Caroline Goldsmith. “When a child learns that their feelings matter and are safe to express, they stop fearing their inner world. And that changes everything.”
At ATC Ireland, Caroline Goldsmith continues to lead the way in developing therapeutic resources, workshops, and school-based programs that help children speak their truth, one feeling at a time.
Final Words from Caroline Goldsmith
If we want emotionally healthy adults, we need to raise emotionally fluent children. Caroline Goldsmith believes that begins with one powerful shift: listen more, fix less.
Contact Information:
Caroline’s practice is easily reachable through her website, email, or phone, ensuring clients have multiple ways to Connect and Resources.