If you say, “I know you’re angry at me” (instead of saying, “I’m wondering if you’re angry or upset with me”) to your toddler, your child doesn’t learn how important it is to try to organize his own feelings by also wondering and then discussing what he feels rather than agreeing to your interpretation of what he’s feeling. It’s the combination of having his own experience while you scaffold his understanding that develops a child’s ability to put himself in someone else’s shoes.
