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12–36 months

Emotion Coaching Log

Help your toddler name big feelings and learn to cope

Gently and without pressure. Emotional understanding develops gradually — this tool supports awareness, not perfection.

Stays on your device No judgement Log in 30 seconds

What emotion did they feel?

Quick Log

Helpful Phrases

Words to try in the moment

"I can see you're upset."

Acknowledges their feelings without judgement

"That was hard."

Validates the difficulty of what they experienced

"I'm here with you."

Provides reassurance and safety

"Let's take a breath together."

Co-regulation through breathing

"You're feeling angry. It's okay to feel angry."

Names the emotion and normalises it

"It's okay to cry."

Gives permission to express feelings

Tip: Avoid "why" questions during big feelings — they can overwhelm toddlers. Statements work better than questions.

Books & Resources

UK-focused recommendations

The Colour Monster

by Anna Llenas — A gentle introduction to naming emotions through colours

My Feelings (DK)

Simple board book with photos of real children showing different emotions

Ruby's Worry

by Tom Percival — Helps children understand and talk about worries

NHS: Supporting your toddler's emotions

Free guidance from the NHS on helping young children with big feelings

Parent Club Scotland

Practical tips on emotional development from birth to 5

Recommendations are for support only and not medical advice.

Works Well With

Tantrum Tracker

Understand patterns alongside emotions

Separation Anxiety Helper

Support emotions during drop-offs

Common Questions

What is emotion coaching?

Emotion coaching is a parenting approach that helps children understand and manage their feelings by naming emotions, validating experiences, and offering support — rather than dismissing or punishing big feelings.

When should I start naming emotions?

You can start from birth by narrating emotions ("You seem upset"), but toddlers from around 12 months begin to benefit from simple emotion labels. They understand more than they can say, so keep naming emotions consistently.

What if I get the emotion wrong?

That's completely fine! If you say "You seem sad" and they're actually frustrated, they might correct you — and that's learning in action. What matters is the attempt to connect, not getting it perfect.

Is my data saved securely?

Your data is stored only on your device using your browser's local storage. Nothing is sent to our servers, and no one else can see your information.