Why Emotional Expression Is Essential for Every Child’s Development
In this powerful short, Dr. Gabor Maté reveals why the freedom to express emotions isn’t just a luxury for children—it’s an essential, irreducible need. From joy and anger to sadness and grief, every emotion has a place in the developing brain. But when children are denied the space to feel fully, they’re forced to suppress parts of themselves just to maintain connection.
This suppression doesn’t disappear—it becomes a silent blueprint for emotional disconnection in adulthood. Dr. Maté explains how emotional repression shapes the brain, alters behavior, and sets the stage for anxiety, depression, and a lost sense of self.
By honoring a child’s natural emotional wiring, we don’t just support their development—we protect their wholeness.
If this message resonates with you, please like, share, and help others discover this vital truth. Subscribe for more insights on emotional healing, childhood development, and mental well-being. Let’s build a more compassionate world—starting with how we listen to our children.
#GaborMaté #EmotionalHealth #ChildhoodTrauma #MentalHealthAwareness #ParentingTruths #EmotionalIntelligence #HealingJourney #InnerChild #SelfConnection #BrainDevelopment
3 Comments
Grief? I at 12yo was told by my mother at my Grandmas funeral to “Quit crying” “here take this it will help you stop crying”
As she handed me a Xanax.
I was 12yo!
-she taught me in that moment
~ feelings are bad
~I’m wrong
~ feeling? Take a pill
~ don’t show emotion
I can't even imagine a world where my parents would have let me have all natural emotions. I had to perform as an adult from before i could walk. But I did turn out okay.. I feel stunted in ways but I like myself and feel i can handle whatever life throws me. I did choose not to have children. I would not have known the first thing about raising them. Allow their feelings? What is that?
I was or had to be hypervigilent. All fear with my stepfather around. What a scary way to be brought up. Never knowing when or what will happen next. He was like a bomb!! Such fear, abandonment. A mother who was not available emotionally or in most ways.
I somehow made it to age 78.
Not felt loved or security or cared for. Grew up numb to this day. Not as bad I’ve done a lot of work on self. With the help of God by my side I feel at peace. Just messed up my children. I’m so sorry for that. What could I do now? Nothing. One isn’t alive any longer. The other going through things a divorce and after all these years not talking to me. She Probably cannot take anymore. Loosing her home and marriage etc.