EP 41 | Recognising Emotions: The First Step to Building Emotional Competence in Early Childhood

Emotional competence serves as a foundational skill set for young children, extending far beyond simple emotional regulation to encompass a broader understanding of internal and external states. Based on Carolyn Sarni’s research, this development relies on two primary pillars: recognizing one's own emotions through interoception and identifying emotions in others via theory of mind. Interoception allows children to connect physical sensations—such as a racing heart or tense muscles—to specific feelings, while theory of mind enables them to perceive that others possess distinct perspectives and emotional experiences. Educators can nurture these skills through daily, low-pressure interactions, such as performing body check-ins during transitions, modeling curiosity about others' feelings during social conflicts, and using storytelling to explore character perspectives. These micro-moments transform everyday experiences into opportunities for building empathy, self-awareness, and long-term relational success without requiring formal curricula or reward systems.