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Activity Card
Understanding the Protective Role of Disgust in Children
Disgust is often viewed negatively, but it plays a crucial protective role in children’s emotional development. It serves as an instinctual response that helps alert them to potential dangers—whether it’s spoiled food, harmful substances, or other threats to their health. Disgust helps children stay safe as they explore their world and develop their awareness of their surroundings.
But disgust isn’t only about physical safety—it can also signal a child’s evolving moral compass. When children feel disgusted by unfair treatment or unethical behavior, they are developing a sense of right and wrong, a critical foundation for ethical reasoning.
Practical Tips to Help Your Child Address Disgust
Click on the topics below to learn more.
Recognize the Protective Role of Disgust
When your child expresses disgust—whether it’s in response to a bad smell, an unpleasant texture, or even something they find morally troubling—validate their feelings. Say something like, “I understand why that grosses you out, it’s your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right.” This reinforces that their emotional response is natural and helpful.
Talk About the Emotional and Moral Aspects of Disgust
Use feelings of disgust as a learning opportunity to explore deeper values. If your child feels disgusted by an act of unfairness, ask, “What do you think makes that situation feel wrong to you?” These conversations help children understand that their emotional reactions can be a tool for recognizing not only physical risks but also ethical boundaries.
Encourage Empathy and Understanding
Teach your child to reflect on why someone might act in a way that disgusts them. For example, if your child expresses disgust at someone being rude or mean to others, encourage them to think about why that behavior might upset them. “Why do you think it’s wrong for people to treat others that way? How would it feel if someone treated you like that?” These types of discussions build empathy and help children navigate moral dilemmas with greater sensitivity.
Help Children Manage Overwhelming Disgust
Sometimes, children may struggle to control intense feelings of disgust, especially when they’re overwhelmed by a situation. Help them by introducing coping strategies such as taking deep breaths, stepping away from the situation, or using humor to reframe the experience. For example, say, “If the smell of that food bothers you, let’s take a deep breath together and focus on something we like.” This helps them manage their physical and emotional responses.
Use Disgust as a Teaching Moment for Boundaries
Disgust is also tied to children’s understanding of personal boundaries. If your child feels disgusted by a situation involving personal space—such as an uncomfortable hug from a relative—teach them how to assert their boundaries. “If you ever feel uncomfortable with someone’s touch, it’s okay to say, ‘Please stop.’ You have the right to protect your space.” This approach helps children build self-respect and confidence in setting boundaries.
Where do we go from here?
By incorporating these strategies into your parenting, you not only help your child manage their feelings of disgust but also empower them to use these emotional signals to navigate both the physical world and their moral development. With your guidance, your child will develop a healthy understanding of disgust and its protective role in their growth.
Check out our Emotional Education Essentials!
Introducing Applejake® Emotional Resilience Resources – the ideal companions for nurturing your child's emotional growth! Whether you weave them into storytelling sessions or seamlessly integrate them into your daily rituals, our flashcards offer an engaging and interactive platform for kids to delve into the realms of empathy and emotional understanding. Through these flashcards, children acquire the skills to identify, describe, and convey their emotions in a wholesome and safe manner
