Children Struggle to Manage Emotions, Character Education Needs Strengthening

Children’s difficulties in managing their emotions have become an increasing concern within educational settings. Behaviors such as frequent outbursts, excessive crying, withdrawal, or impulsive emotional reactions are commonly observed in daily school interactions. These patterns indicate that many children have not yet developed adequate skills to recognize, understand, and regulate their emotions in healthy ways.

Poor emotional regulation affects not only children’s personal well-being but also their social relationships with peers. Children who struggle to manage emotions are more likely to experience conflicts, misunderstandings, or engage in aggressive behavior, both verbally and nonverbally. Such conditions can disrupt the learning environment and create tension within classrooms.

In this context, character education is seen as an essential approach to supporting children’s emotional development. Through character education, children are guided to identify their own feelings, understand others’ emotions, and express themselves appropriately. Values such as patience, empathy, and responsibility are cultivated through daily interactions and meaningful learning experiences.

However, efforts to strengthen character education in emotional regulation still face several challenges. Academic priorities often dominate the curriculum, leaving limited space for social and emotional learning. Additionally, time constraints and limited resources can hinder the consistent implementation of character education practices in schools.

Therefore, a collective commitment is needed to reinforce character education as an integral part of the educational process. Teachers, schools, and parents must work together to create supportive environments that nurture children’s emotional growth. With sustained and well-integrated character education, children are expected to develop healthier emotional regulation and more positive social relationships.