Name what baby feels
6–12 monthsFamily ConnectionNo materials needed
As you interact with your baby, put words to what they might be feeling. When they reach for a toy, you might say, "You're excited about that rattle." When they cry, try "You feel frustrated right now." You're not expecting them to understand the words yet, but you're showing them that feelings can be recognized and shared. This builds the foundation for emotional intelligence.
Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
As you interact with your baby, put words to what they might be feeling. When they reach for a toy, you might say, "You're excited about that rattle." When they cry, try "You feel frustrated right now." You're not expecting them to understand the words yet, but you're showing them that feelings can be recognized and shared. This builds the foundation for emotional intelligence.
Why It Works
Labeling emotions helps babies begin to understand their internal experiences. When parents show empathy by naming feelings, they demonstrate care and compassion consistently, which is how empathy emerges in children (Hoffman, 2000). Research confirms that recognizing and responding sensitively to emotions in early childhood predicts stronger empathy development later (Eisenberg et al., 2015).
Tips for Parents
Use a calm, warm voice even when naming difficult feelings like frustration or sadness.
Keep it simple with one feeling word at a time.
This practice helps you tune into your baby's emotional world too.
Materials Needed
None
Learning Methods
Responsive InteractionSensory Exploration
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