internalizing behaviors
An Everyday Therapy Activity for Internalizing Behaviors
One gentle everyday activity for toddlers who hold feelings inside is Feelings Faces at storytime: pause to name what a character feels, make the face together, then warmly bridge it to your child. This builds the emotional vocabulary that helps internalising behaviours soften — a few minutes, two or three times a day.
Some big feelings stay tucked inside — the quiet worry, the clinging at the door, the tummy ache before something new. A toddler who turns feelings inward needs gentle words and a safe lap, not pressure to "snap out of it."
In short
One lovely everyday activity is Feelings Faces at storytime — pause during a familiar book to name what a character might be feeling, then gently mirror it back to your child. This gives a toddler the words for the worries they hold inside, which is exactly what helps internalising behaviours soften over time. Keep it short, warm and playful — a few minutes a day is plenty.How to do Feelings Faces
1. Pick a calm moment — cuddle time, a favourite picture book, or while playing with soft toys. 2. Name the feeling out loud: "Teddy looks a bit scared of the loud bus. It's okay to feel scared." 3. Make the face together — sad, happy, worried, brave — so the feeling gets a name and a face. 4. Bridge to your child gently: "Sometimes you feel a bit scared too, don't you? I'm right here." 5. End on safety and warmth — a hug, a cheer, a "you're so brave for telling me."Do this two or three times a day. There is no wrong answer and no test — you are simply teaching your child that feelings can be shown and shared, not swallowed.
The science, simply
Toddlers who tend toward internalising — worry, withdrawal, clinginess — often feel big emotions without the language to release them. When a trusted adult names and accepts feelings, children build emotional vocabulary and learn that distress is bearable and shareable. This "emotion coaching" is supported by child-development guidance worldwide and gently strengthens a toddler's ability to self-soothe.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under the care of a qualified clinician — never from a home activity alone. Learn more about internalizing behaviors, explore gentle behaviour therapy support, and see how we measure progress with the AbilityScore®.Trusted sources
Guided by WHO nurturing-care principles and American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on naming and validating young children's emotions to build healthy social-emotional development.Next step — try Feelings Faces today, and if your child often seems worried, withdrawn or clingy across many days, message the Pinnacle team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 for a warm developmental check.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Watch for worry, withdrawal or clinginess that persists most days across home and other settings, or new tummy aches and sleep changes around new situations — if these continue, seek a developmental check rather than waiting it out.
Try this at home
During any favourite book, pause and name one feeling a character might have, make the face together, then say "you feel that too sometimes — I'm here." Two or three short moments a day.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
My toddler hides their feelings — is that something to worry about?
Many toddlers are still learning to show feelings, and quietness alone is not a concern. Gently naming emotions during play helps. If worry, withdrawal or clinginess persists most days across different settings, a friendly developmental check can offer reassurance and guidance.
How often should we do the Feelings Faces activity?
Two or three short moments a day during cuddles, books or play is ideal. It should feel warm and unhurried — never a test. Consistency matters more than length.
Can naming scary feelings make my child more anxious?
No — naming and accepting feelings actually helps. When a trusted adult shows that worry is bearable and shareable, children learn distress can pass and be talked about, which gently eases inward worry over time.