Helping Children Navigate Sadness: Guidance for Parents and Guardians
7 simple, evidence-based ways to help children understand, express, and manage sadness
Sadness is a natural part of childhood. It appears during everyday moments and it can signal important developmental processes. When supported with care and structure, sadness becomes an opportunity for emotional learning. Parents and guardians play a central role in helping children recognise, understand, and manage this feeling in healthy ways.
The EMBRACE Project continues its Public Awareness Campaign into the first week of 2026 with a focus on sadness because it is one of the emotions young people struggle with a lot. Drawing on guidance from UNICEF, this week’s resources offer seven evidence-based practices that families can use to support children through difficult moments.
- Acknowledge the feeling
Children benefit when adults name the emotion clearly. Labelling sadness helps them feel understood and reduces confusion.
- Be present and calm
A steady, predictable adult presence helps children regulate their emotional response. Calm behaviour teaches emotional safety.
- Listen more than you speak
Attentive listening enables children to express what they feel without pressure to “fix” the situation immediately.
- Encourage healthy expression
Sadness can be expressed through conversation, drawing, play, or quiet time. Encouraging safe expression prevents emotional buildup.
- Protect from stress
Reducing unnecessary pressure and creating a stable environment supports recovery and resilience.
- Offer comfort and connection
Physical closeness, validation, and shared activities can reassure children that they are not facing their sadness alone.
- Seek help if sadness deepens
If sadness persists or interferes with daily functioning, professional guidance can provide essential support.
You can download the full Sadness Tips for Parents and Guardians pdf. guide here:
EN: https://tinyurl.com/vccs8kwj
RO: https://tinyurl.com/v7kk5mve
Supporting children through sadness requires consistency, empathy, and small everyday actions that help them feel seen and safe. These experiences shape long-term emotional strength and contribute to their ability to form healthy relationships.
(Source: UNICEF -“Supporting Children with Depression, Stress, and Anxiety”)
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