Big Kids, Bigger Feelings
EPISODE 25:
Alyssa Campbell on Supporting Emotional Development in Ages 5 to 12
In This Episode:
Alyssa Campbell joins More than Milestones to dive into one of the most overlooked yet critical stages of child development: ages 5 to 12. With a master’s degree in early childhood education, research experience in emotional development, and as the founder of Seed and Sew and a two-time bestselling author, Alyssa helps parents understand why big emotions in big kids are not something to fix, but information to listen to. We explore how emotional and social development shows up differently in school-aged kids compared to toddlers, why connection is the foundation for everything, and how parents can stay close even as peer influence grows. This conversation offers practical insight for navigating big feelings, conflict, honesty, and tough topics with confidence and compassion.
Topics We Cover:
Why ages 5 to 12 are a critical and often overlooked stage of emotional development
How big emotions show up differently in school-aged kids versus toddlers
Why big emotions are not a phase, but important information
The nine senses and how they influence emotional regulation in kids
How to identify what triggers your individual child and what they truly need
Staying connected as kids start prioritizing peer relationships
How to repair after missteps in connection with your child
Talking to kids about puberty, sex, drugs, and peer pressure earlier than expected
Why lying can be developmentally appropriate at this age and how to respond
Navigating conflict between kids and knowing when to step in versus step back
Alyssa Campbell
MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODES’S GUEST
Alyssa Blask Campbell, M.Ed., is the CEO and founder of Seed & Sew and a globally recognized expert in emotional development. She co-created and researched the Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP) method, transforming how adults support children’s emotions. Her New York Times bestselling book Tiny Humans, Big Emotions shares this research, and her second book Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, a USA Today bestseller, was published by HarperCollins in September 2025. Alyssa hosts the Voices of Your Village podcast and created a professional development program for early childhood educators that includes unlimited, free coaching support from experts in education. She speaks worldwide for organizations like UNESCO and has been featured in The Washington Post, CNBC, NBC News Daily, and Vermont Public.
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