Self-awareness – it is a big word, with an even bigger meaning. Even for your little one, it means a lot!

Self-awareness is a skill that allows your child to be in sync with their feelings; it includes the ability to both recognise and understand their feelings, as well as the way they act or react to them. At the ripe age of two and beyond, a child not only understands what they are feeling, but also begin understanding what impact their actions have on others.

Other types of awareness include:

• Bodily awareness – where children learn of the shapes of their body parts, and how they can maneuver them in space
• Emotional awareness – where children become aware of their different emotional states, and learn how to deal with each of them appropriately
• Public awareness – where children understand how others perceive them

Whichever kind of self-awareness it may be, every bit of it plays its part in developing the child’s early years. As a result, its importance is immense:

Greater Understanding For Own Feelings

Children who are aware of their own emotions are more adept at being open about them. They’re not anxious about anything alien they feel; rather, they understand what’s causing them to feel that way, and hence become willing to talk about it to others. Despite being a simple accomplishment, it is a milestone for children.

Ability To Recognise Others’ Feelings

Once children are able to understand their own emotions, they will better understand what others experience as a result. They can easily put themselves into others’ shoes, and understand their feelings. As a result, such children develop a feeling of empathy from a young age.

Understanding Own Strengths & Weaknesses

A self-aware child is one who knows what their strong and weak points are; they know which task they can do well, and which they can’t. As a result, they are much more calm and collected while attempting even the newest tasks (for example, a new colouring project at school!). And since they know what they’re capable of, they develop a sense of self-confidence from a young age.

Quick To Catch Their Mistakes

Previously we discussed how self-aware children know their strengths and weaknesses. Stemming from this factor, comes the fact that self-awareness helps children realise their mistake quicker than others. They pick up on their slip-ups themselves, and are more willing to accept the mistake, before correcting it. This not only teaches children a discipline of doing work properly, but also develops a sense of humility when correcting and learning from mistakes.


Nurseries in Jumeirah Park know how vital self-awareness is for children of all ages, especially toddlers. After all, it has been listed as one of the 10 most important life skills by the United Nations – skills needed to deal with everyday life effectively. Oakfield Early Learning Centre especially focuses on teaching students how to be aware of themselves and their boundaries, while simultaneously being aware of others. Group activities with qualified practitioners help children learn more about one another, and themselves.

In the end, self-awareness helps children realise that the way they perceive themselves is almost always different from how others see them. This in turn helps children be more reflective, thoughtful, and attentive.