In today’s fast-paced, overstimulated world, children are navigating an emotional landscape that’s more complex than ever before. Tantrums, shutdowns, emotional outbursts, and even defiance are often misunderstood as poor behavior when, in truth, they are signals of emotional overwhelm. For children, feelings can be confusing, intense, and—without support—completely unmanageable.
Caroline Goldsmith, Consulting Clinical Psychologist with ATC Ireland, is a guiding voice in helping children build the emotional tools they need to not only survive these waves of feelings, but to thrive in the face of them. Her work focuses on developing emotional literacy, regulation, and resilience in children—from the youngest learners to adolescents—through a deeply compassionate, strengths-based approach.
Why Emotional Understanding Matters
Children aren’t born knowing what emotions are. They don’t come equipped with the vocabulary to say, “I’m feeling overwhelmed because I didn’t sleep well,” or “I’m acting out because I feel left out at school.” Instead, they communicate through behavior—sometimes loud, sometimes silent—and it’s up to the adults around them to help interpret what’s really going on underneath.
Caroline Goldsmith emphasizes that emotional intelligence is not an extra skill—it’s essential. Children who can recognize and regulate their emotions perform better in school, have healthier relationships, and experience greater mental wellbeing throughout their lives. Emotional literacy sets the stage for empathy, resilience, conflict resolution, and self-worth.
The First Step: Naming the Feeling
Caroline’s approach begins with something beautifully simple: naming the emotion. Using age-appropriate visuals, emotion cards, stories, and body signals, she teaches children how to identify what they’re feeling. She helps them answer questions like:
- What does sadness feel like in your body?
- Where do you notice anger?
- What color do you think fear would be?
This externalization of emotion gives children something to work with, rather than something they feel trapped inside. It reduces shame and fear while opening the door to meaningful reflection.
Teaching Regulation, Not Repression
Too often, children are taught to “calm down” without being taught how. Caroline’s work stands out because she never encourages repression or avoidance of emotion. Instead, she gives children practical tools for emotional regulation—the skill of staying steady when emotions are high.
Some of her most effective strategies include:
- Mindful breathing and grounding techniques that help reset the nervous system.
- Body movement practices, like animal stretches or “shake breaks,” to discharge energy.
- Creative outlets like journaling, drawing, or building to externalize what they’re feeling.
- Feelings charts and “zones of regulation” to help children track their states over time.
These tools are shared not just with children, but with parents and educators too—because emotional development thrives in environments where adults model what they teach.
Co-Regulation: The Power of Safe Adults
A key part of Caroline’s philosophy is that children learn emotional regulation best through connection. This concept, called co-regulation, is the foundation for her work with families and schools. When a child is in distress, their brain is flooded with stress hormones—and the last thing they need is judgment or isolation.
Instead, Caroline encourages adults to be “emotional anchors.” By staying calm, present, and non-reactive, adults help regulate the child’s nervous system through tone of voice, body language, and reassurance. This emotional mirroring builds safety and trust, teaching children that emotions aren’t dangerous—they’re manageable.
Building a Lasting Emotional Vocabulary
Over time, Caroline helps children develop a broader, more nuanced emotional vocabulary. Instead of relying on just “happy,” “sad,” or “angry,” children learn to identify complex emotions like:
- Frustration
- Embarrassment
- Loneliness
- Excitement
- Disappointment
- Pride
This depth of awareness allows children to express themselves more clearly, reduces behavioral outbursts, and enhances their ability to relate to others with empathy.
The Long-Term Impact of Emotional Intelligence
When children are taught how to understand and manage their emotions, the benefits ripple outward:
- Increased confidence in social situations
- Stronger relationships with peers and adults
- Improved focus and learning at school
- Lower rates of anxiety and depression
- Greater resilience in the face of setbacks
Caroline’s work equips children with emotional tools that become part of their lifelong inner toolkit. She doesn’t just help children feel better—she helps them become better at feeling.
Final Thoughts: Raising Emotionally Intelligent Humans
Caroline Goldsmith’s work is a reminder that emotional health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. By helping children understand their feelings, she lays the groundwork for stronger minds, kinder hearts, and more compassionate communities.
In every session, workshop, and conversation, she is building a generation of emotionally intelligent young people who don’t fear their emotions—but understand, honor, and learn from them.
Contact Information:
Caroline’s practice is easily reachable through her website, email, or phone, ensuring clients have multiple ways to Connect and Resources.
