A psychologist highlights the importance of emotional presence over mere physical availability for parents. Simple daily habits like undivided attention and validating feelings can profoundly impact a child’s emotional growth, confidence, and coping skills. These tips help parents build lasting emotional bonds for healthy child development.
Psychologist Tanushri Tejas Talekar from Samarpan Health, Mumbai, emphasizes that children thrive not only on material needs but on an emotionally safe and present environment. Emotional presence means parents actively tune into how a child feels, beyond just providing basic care. It builds a child’s emotional foundation, confidence, and coping mechanisms.
Talekar notes emotional presence is not about being perfect or constantly available, but about focused attention and empathy during shared moments. She offers five practical daily habits to help parents become more emotionally engaged:
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Start the day by asking your child how they feel, not just about tasks.
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Pause before reacting; seek to understand the feelings behind behaviors.
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Give undistracted attention—no multitasking or phones during these moments.
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Help children name emotions gently to build emotional vocabulary without shame.
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End the day with a connecting ritual like a story, gratitude, or meaningful talk.
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Children with emotionally available parents tend to have steadier emotional regulation, better problem-solving skills, and a stable sense of self. Small, attentive moments can make a lifelong difference, strengthening trust and emotional security.
Key Highlights
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Emotional presence is crucial for a child’s emotional and psychological growth.
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Parental attention matters more than hours spent physically present.
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Five daily habits promote connection: feeling check-in, pause before reaction, focused attention, emotion naming, and end-of-day rituals.
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Children gain confidence and better emotional regulation from emotionally engaged parents.
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Active listening and empathy build a safe space for children to express themselves.
Source: Hindustan Times, Samarpan Health, Psychology Today