Children's Emotions Need Guidance, Not Suppression, Says Educator

South Korea is facing a significant rise in mental health challenges among its youth, with a notable increase in conditions such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety. The number of children and adolescents receiving mental health treatment surged by 76.6% in four years, reaching 350,337 in 2024. Particularly concerning is the rising suicide rate among children under 13, highlighting a critical need for early intervention and support. Educators and parents are urged to equip children with the skills to navigate their emotions effectively. Kim Han-jin, a teacher and co-author of 'I Choose My Own Feelings!', stresses that emotions, like air compressed in a piston, build pressure when suppressed and can manifest in other ways. He advocates for teaching children how to process these feelings constructively, rather than letting them fester into anger or depression, which can lead to blaming others or self-harm. Kim emphasizes creating an environment where children feel safe to express themselves, encouraging adults to observe them without judgment. He suggests practical classroom activities like a 'forgiveness apology' session, where students can address conflicts and practice reconciliation. This helps children learn to confront problems rather than avoid them. For parents, he recommends consistent conversations about daily gratitude and failures before sleep, which can reveal a child's struggles. When children face anger towards peers, Kim advises a step-by-step approach: first, try to process it independently; second, communicate feelings to the other person; and third, seek adult help if the issue persists. He also advises parents to separate marital conflicts from their children, reassuring them that parental disagreements are not their fault and demonstrating healthy conflict resolution. For shy children, he suggests reframing shyness as a tool for self-reflection, encouraging them to say, 'I can do this, even though I feel shy.' Regarding phone and game usage, Kim recommends accepting games as part of a child's world, educating them about the neurological effects, and discussing their interests openly, rather than outright banning them. He stresses the importance of offering alternatives, like board games, to channel children's energy constructively.

“

Emotions are like air in a piston; when compressed, the force to spring back grows stronger. But if there's a hole in the piston, the energy naturally escapes.