Your child will be a better friend if he can understand and deal properly with these expressions of feeling.

Here’s how you can encourage your child to be aware of others’ feelings:

• Talk with your child about his friends and classmates. “Do you like blocks or housekeeping better? How about Kyle? What does he like?”

• Have your child watch for non-verbal cues. “Katie is smiling. I bet she wants to play.”

• Help your child figure out another person’s reaction. “You said Jimmy hit Tommy and Tommy cried. Why do you think Tommy cried?”

Your child may answer, “Because he got hurt!” Then take it a step further. “What could you do to make Tommy feel better?” Give some examples, such as bringing Tommy a favorite toy.

• Help your child name his own feelings. “You’re so excited!” “Oh, I can tell you are disappointed.”

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