- A 2024 study[1] shows that when adults recognize and accept young children’s emotions, they become more capable of handling frustrations and being more persistent, including in school activities
- 12% of Romanian children are very rarely or never hugged by their parents, according to Save the Children[2]
- Dr. Daniel Siegel, neuropsychiatry expert: “If you name an emotion, you can tame it”
Preschool children who are listened to and told that their emotions are normal cope much better with persevering in difficult tasks, compared to those who are not given this attention, shows a recent study analyzed by ParentED. Specialists emphasize that when parents accept and understand children’s emotions, instead of overlooking or criticizing them, the little ones gain a solid foundation for balanced development.
“If you name an emotion, you can tame it. For a child or an adult, it’s extremely powerful to hear someone say, “I get you. I understand. I see why you feel this way.” This kind of empathy disarms us,” states Dr. Daniel J. Siegel, renowned neuropsychiatrist and bestselling author.
Known for his expertise in children’s brain development and attachment-based parenting, Dr. Siegel considers emotional validation fundamental for building an affirmative mindset:
“The Yes Brain mindset is what we want for our kids, so that they learn to view obstacles and new experiences not as paralyzing impediments but simply as challenges to be faced and overcome and learned from. When kids work from a Yes Brain mentality, they’re more flexible, more open to compromise, more willing to take chances and explore. They’re more curious and imaginative, less worried about making mistakes”.
The differences are evident in children’s emotional development: the 2024 study shows that when parents tell children between 4 and 7 years old that it’s normal to feel upset or frustrated, they come to better understand their emotions and don’t give up when things get tough.
In contrast, in Romania, Save the Children data shows that 12% of children are almost never hugged or caressed by their parents, and almost half (48%) spend their free time alone or with people outside the family.
According to Daniel Siegel, from early infancy, our ability to regulate emotional states depends on the experience of feeling that an important person in our life simultaneously experiences a similar state of mind. Dr. Daniel Siegel will come to Bucharest on October 4-5 to give a conference at ParentEd Fest 2025.
Romania’s largest parenting event, ParentED Fest, will take place on October 4-5, 2025, in Bucharest. The event, now in its second edition, will bring together world-class experts in child-rearing and care: Dr. Laura Markham, psychologist and bestselling author on connection-based parenting; Dr. Shefali, international clinical psychologist, returning to ParentED Fest for the second time after last year’s success; Dr. Gordon Neufeld, child development psychologist and pioneer in attachment; Maggie Dent, recognized parenting expert and author of books on balanced child development; Tamara Neufeld Strijack, therapist and author, and Dr. Daniel Siegel, world-renowned neuropsychiatrist and pioneer in integrating neuroscience with psychology.
ParentED Fest 2025 is supported by Lidl Romania – Strategic Partner and Sanador – Healthcare Partner, as well as ThedaMar, Catena, Raiffeisen Bank, Activ. Innovation Partner – Alfa Foundation. Media partners – Zyx Books, Pagina de Psihologie, Psychologies, Ringier Romania. The event is supported by: Matca Social Club, Destiny Park, CyberJump, Genesis College, KinetoBebe, Museum of Senses, Museum of Football, Basme cu Cai, Ograda Bunicilor, Acvatic Bebe Club and Edenland.
Tickets are on sale at https://parentedfest.ro/ and in the IaBilet.ro network.
[1] Your feelings are reasonable: Emotional validation promotes persistence among preschoolers, Jeewon Jeon, Daeun Park, 2024
[2] https://www.salvaticopiii.ro/sites/ro/files/2024-06/urgenta_starea-copilului-jocurile-de-noroc-abuzul-bullyingul-si-saracia-statistici-002.pdf
Media enquiries: Stefan Pascuta +40 748 883 201
