Emotions are the voice of the human soul. For children, expressing and releasing emotions is a vital part of mental and emotional growth.

During a preschool observation, I witnessed a child suddenly start crying in class. He chose to walk out of the classroom with self-discipline and stood in the hallway, quietly wiping away his tears. The teacher followed him silently, without any words or actions, simply staying by his side in quiet companionship. After about ten minutes, the child's emotions gradually calmed down, and the teacher softly asked if he was willing to share the reason for his tears.

The child said, "Because I couldn't answer the teacher's question, I felt embarrassed and scared." After understanding the reason, the teacher told him, "Other classmates couldn't answer just now either. They simply told the teacher they didn't know, and the teacher didn't blame them; she only reminded them to remember it next time." The child listened thoughtfully, seemingly beginning to understand. The teacher then asked, "Do you want to go back to the classroom?" The child shook his head, and the teacher respected his choice: "That's okay. When you feel better, we will go back in together."

This process was deeply moving because it demonstrated the teacher’s understanding and respect for the child's emotional fluctuations. The child was allowed to freely express his inner state. Even when facing overwhelming emotions, he was respected. The teacher stayed by his side silently, applying no pressure, allowing the emotions to be released rather than suppressed.

From this case, I see the importance of emotional release.

First, this approach makes children feel understood and accepted. When adults respect their feelings, children feel safe, which encourages them to open up and express their inner thoughts. Like the child in this story, he was willing to share his feelings precisely because the teacher provided a warm, supportive environment instead of immediately blaming him or demanding he stop crying.

Second, emotional release is a crucial step in learning self-regulation. The companionship of teachers and parents serves as a model for children on how to face setbacks. Through listening and dialogue, children gradually learn how to handle emotional swings in a healthy way, rather than responding with suppression or avoidance.

Third, this educational model fosters self-reflection. When the child heard that others faced similar difficulties but chose to express them verbally, he began to realize he could adopt different ways to face challenges.

Emotional release is the cornerstone of a child's mental health development. Adults can use patience and love to create an environment that allows emotions to flow and the soul to expand, enabling every child to learn to face and manage their emotions within warm companionship, becoming more resilient and empathetic individuals.