Embracing Emotions: A More Empowering Approach for Children

As a yoga teacher, therapist, and yoga teacher trainer, I’ve always believed in the power of mindfulness, compassion, and self-awareness to guide us toward a deeper understanding of our emotions. This understanding is especially important in early childhood, a time when children are learning to navigate the vast world of feelings. Recently, however, I’ve encountered a teaching approach that I feel deeply concerned about: the popular concept of the “Colour Monster” as a way to help children identify and label their emotions and I felt compelled to share my view and hopefully bring more awareness.

In this approach, emotions are portrayed as colours within a “monster,” which I believe sends the wrong message to children. Monsters are typically scary, intimidating, and something to be avoided, and these associations don’t serve to help children embrace their emotions in a healthy way. Emotions are not monsters—they are part of the human experience and are beautiful, natural, and worthy of understanding.

Why I Disagree with the Colour Monster Concept

At the heart of my disagreement is the notion that monsters, with their fearful connotation, should be linked to emotions. Children, especially young ones, often struggle with the concept of fear, and associating emotions with something so scary only perpetuates the idea that emotions are something to be feared or 'monster behaviour'. This approach risks teaching children that there is something wrong with their feelings, especially negative ones, when in fact emotions are powerful messengers that guide us toward greater self-awareness.

Rather than teaching children to be afraid of their emotions or label them as “good” or “bad,” I believe we should encourage them to view emotions as part of the natural flow of life—like the weather. Just as weather changes, so do our emotions. A storm may feel intense and chaotic, but also so beautiful, and it eventually passes, giving way to sunshine or calm skies helping to refresh the earth. Children can easily relate to this metaphor, as they’ve experienced weather patterns themselves, and this gives them a safe, tangible reference point for understanding the ebb and flow of their emotional state.

The Beauty of All Emotions

All emotions are beautiful. They carry essential messages about who we are, what we need, and where we are on our journey. Emotions are neither “good” nor “bad”—they simply are. Every emotion, from joy to anger to sadness, carries wisdom if we’re willing to be curious and listen. For example, anger may be a sign that our boundaries have been crossed, or that something in our environment feels out of alignment with our true selves. Sadness can signal that we’re grieving a loss or processing change, and in doing so, it offers the opportunity for deep healing.

Rather than indirectly labeling emotions as negative, we should be teaching children to welcome and express them in safe, healthy ways. Emotions are simply energy-in-motion. Anger is not something to fear; instead, children can be shown safe ways to channel it, like through mindful movement or expressive activities such as drawing, dancing or stomping to move the energy. Likewise, sadness is not something to fear, but an opportunity for reflection, growth, emotional release and healing.

"Crying is an expression of a child’s emotions, a release of what they cannot put into words yet. This is how they process and heal; crying is a powerful and vital part of their emotional release" – Carolina Vega

Emotions as Our True Radar

Our e-motions are our internal radar, guiding us toward greater alignment within our true Selves. They signal when we’re in harmony with our needs and when we might be out of balance. When we pay attention to our emotions, rather than suppressing them or labeling them as “bad,” we begin to understand ourselves more deeply. This understanding allows us to navigate the world in a more authentic, grounded way.

By teaching children to embrace emotions, a birthright of being human, we empower them to be more self-aware, compassionate, and resilient. Rather than running from uncomfortable emotions or fearing them, children learn to feel empowered in their emotions, explore them, and express them in healthy, constructive ways. This practice builds emotional intelligence, which is essential for creating a balanced, mindful life.

The Power of Emotional Superheroes: A New Approach

Building on these ideas, I’ve been developing a new and empowering approach for children to relate to their emotions. Rather than seeing emotions as something to fear or control, what if we could teach children to view them as superpowers? Each emotion could become its own "Emotion Warrior," helping children embrace their feelings as tools to navigate the world with strength, balance, and self-awareness.

This approach reimagines emotions as allies—each one offering a special power, from the strength of anger to the peace of calm. Imagine a world where a child can tap into their inner Defender when they feel angry, or call upon their Healer when they need comfort. These Emotion Warriors not only help children understand their feelings but also give them the tools to use them in a healthy, empowering way.

I’ll be sharing more about this exciting concept in future posts, where I’ll guide you through the process of introducing Emotion Warriors to children and offer practical tools, activities, and yoga techniques to support their emotional journey.

Teaching Through Yoga and Mindfulness

In my Kids Yoga Teacher Training course, I emphasis the importance of integrating mindfulness and body awareness when guiding children in understanding their emotions. Yoga is a wonderful tool for this, as it teaches children to tune into their bodies and breathe through challenging moments. By encouraging mindfulness in a child’s everyday life, we can help them develop the tools to express their emotions safely and constructively.

For instance, in a yoga class, we may use poses that help release tension associated with anger or frustration. We might practice deep breathing to help calm a racing mind when a child feels overwhelmed. Through mindful movement, children learn to connect with their bodies and emotions in a way that’s nurturing, supportive, and non-judgmental.

A New Approach to Emotional Education

Let’s take a step back from the idea of “Colour Monsters” and embrace a more holistic, loving approach to emotional education. We have the opportunity to teach children that their feelings are valid, beautiful, and worthy of expression. Instead of associating emotions with fear, let’s help children see emotions as the beautiful, dynamic force that they are—an integral part of their emotional and spiritual growth.

Through yoga, mindfulness, and a compassionate understanding of emotions, we can guide children toward a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them. When we teach children to embrace all their feelings—whether they are joyful or sorrowful, calm or turbulent—we equip them with the skills to be resilient, self-aware, and emotionally balanced for the rest of their lives.

With Love,

Carolina Vega

Yoga Therapist, Author & Facilitator of My Health Yoga Kids Yoga Teacher Training

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