A groundbreaking study has revealed that children develop a sophisticated understanding of emotions through a crucial cognitive shift between the ages of 5 and 10, transforming the way they interpret the feelings of others. This new research, published in Nature Communications and led by experts at Peking University in partnership with the University of Wisconsin, could reshape how Thai parents, teachers, and health professionals nurture emotional intelligence in the next generation (source).
Thai society has long recognized the importance of emotional harmony—reflected in the value placed on “jai yen” (cool heart) for managing one’s feelings and maintaining social cohesion. Yet, many parents and teachers still wonder why young children appear to miss or misinterpret adult emotions, sometimes reacting in ways that seem out of sync with the situation. This research sheds light on these questions by showing that young children initially “see” emotions instinctively but only later “understand” them more deeply through learning and experience.
Contrary to common belief, even five-year-olds can recognize core emotions—such as happiness, anger, fear, and sadness—by picking up facial cues, as demonstrated by brainwave measurements (EEG) in the study. However, while these basic perceptual abilities remain stable through early childhood, what fundamentally changes is how children build mental models around emotional experiences. As children move toward middle childhood, they gradually rely less on visual clues and more on nuanced conceptual knowledge. For instance, older children can link the act of crying not only to sadness but also to fear, anger, or even relief—reflecting a growing awareness of emotional complexity.
The study used three complementary experiments: First, EEG frequency tagging showed that even preschoolers can instinctively distinguish between several emotional expressions. The neural responses in these youngsters were distinct when viewing faces expressing happiness, anger, fear, or sadness—suggesting that raw emotional perception is present from a young age. Second, a word-association task highlighted how older children are able to make more sophisticated distinctions, connecting emotional words to a wider array of feelings and contexts. Lastly, behavioral tasks showed that while younger participants tended to categorize emotions as simply “good” or “bad,” their older peers were more likely to sort and match faces and words to specific emotions, such as differentiating between fear and anger.
Lead researcher from Peking University’s School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences explained that “children’s inferences about other people’s emotions come to rely more on conceptual knowledge with increasing age (and, presumably, social experience).” This statement is reinforced in the study’s findings, where the transition was mapped using advanced statistical analyses, including Representational Similarity Analysis and Generalized Estimating Equations.
This research holds important implications for educational and parenting strategies in Thailand. Thai children are often raised in environments where emotional expression is either moderated or subtly communicated, especially in group settings like temples, schools, and extended families. For educators, the research suggests that emotional education should be tailored to different developmental stages. For example, activities for younger children might focus on facial recognition and simple emotional vocabulary, while older students would benefit from discussing more nuanced emotional scenarios and the underlying causes of emotions.
The findings are particularly relevant for children with certain developmental challenges. Some Thai schools now include social-emotional learning in their curriculum, inspired by global best practices. This research could help further refine these initiatives, making them age-appropriate and culturally attuned. In families, understanding that young children may not yet grasp the deeper meaning behind an adult’s angry or worried face could shift parenting approaches toward more explicit communication about emotions.
Historically, Thai traditions emphasize emotional control and non-confrontation—a value visible in the preference for indirect communication and the subtle management of interpersonal conflicts. However, this can sometimes make it more challenging for children to learn about emotions in a direct and structured way, especially if family members themselves lack a vocabulary for expressing feelings. The study’s focus on the importance of conceptual knowledge offers a path for parents and teachers to expand their own emotional literacy, setting an example for the younger generation.
Looking forward, this research opens a new frontier in understanding children’s emotional development, with potential to inform early intervention for children struggling with emotional recognition—a common issue in various neurodevelopmental conditions. As Thailand modernizes its education system, integrating these findings could help foster a generation better equipped for emotional resilience, empathy, and cooperation, both at home and in the workplace.
For Thai parents and teachers seeking to put this knowledge into practice, experts recommend starting early with clear, descriptive language about emotions and encouraging children to reflect not just on “what” someone feels, but “why.” As children grow, discussions about complex emotional situations—what Thais may call “khojai”—can be used to help them see behind the social mask and develop true emotional maturity. Policymakers are encouraged to consider these developmental milestones when designing curricula and support services, ensuring that lessons in emotion recognition and understanding are woven throughout early childhood and primary education.
For those interested in further exploring these concepts, the original research article, “Conceptual knowledge increasingly supports emotion understanding as perceptual contribution declines with age,” is open access and available through Nature Communications (nature.com). Local universities and mental health practitioners may cite these findings when implementing new teaching or counseling programs, ensuring that Thai children build both the perceptual and conceptual tools needed for thriving in a complex, emotionally rich society.