Fostering Emotional Intelligence in Children
Every parent wants that their child should be not only academically sound but also a balanced and understanding human being who is empathetic and compassionate. All these traits come under the umbrella of emotional intelligence. Simply put, it is that intelligence with which a child can correctly identify, understand, and express his as well as others’ emotions.
Not only that, but in the modern age where almost all children are under so much pressure and have difficult challenges to face, I.Q. should be next to emotional intelligence. Any child who has the ability to identify just what it is that he feels will better handle the auditory manifestations and the hue of anger, fear, sadness, or happiness.
Let us now find out some basic ways that parents can begin to foster emotional intelligence in their little children-better still, toddlers aged 2 to 4.
1. Set emotional examples and standards for your children.
Children learn more with their eyes than with their ears. When parents show an appropriate way of expressing emotion, children follow suit.
- Express joy: Say, “I am very happy today because we played together.”
- Do not lose it with anger: when you feel anger, do not yell and scream. Just take a deep breath and say, “I’m a little bit angry now, but I’ll try to calm down.”
- Having empathy: If, for instance, someone in the house is not happy, you can say, “Look, Grandma looks sad. Let’s hug her.”
I am struggling in my therapy to find a coherent way to explain my immense desire to drink.
2. Create an environment conducive to expression.
Unless they feel safe and not judged, children are not likely to express themselves to anybody at all.
- Let her talk about things: If the child was crying, saying, “My toy broke,” rather than simply saying, “Don’t cry,”-you could say, “Yes, I know you are sad.”
- Give options: If he/she is hesitant to talk, allow the child to express how he/she feels through drawing, painting, or play.
- Using Stories: Read books that have different characters experiencing different emotions. For instance, a story with a rabbit that gets angry and learns how to calm down.
3. Teach The Vocabulary Of Emotions.
Identifying and naming feelings are very important for young children.
- Name the feeling for the child: For instance, “You are angry because someone took away your toy,” or “You are happy because you received some chocolate.”
- Use a flashcard or picture: Show a cartoon character or image and say, “How does that feel?”
- Open-ended questions: Ask your child, “When do you cry, how do you feel?” This connects the child’s body and mind with his emotions.
4. Teach empathy.
Understanding others’ feelings plays a big role in IQ.
- Talk about the feelings of others: If a child falls in the park, say, “How do you think he must have felt?”
- Role play: a child plays with friends in doctor-doctor or shop-shop. In turn, he learns to think from another person’s angle.
- Story-telling: While reading, ask questions like, “Why is this character crying?” “What would you have done if it were you?”
5. Teach problem-solving and coping skills.
Anger and sadness are often emotions that children catch. Very important is the teaching of how to cope with such emotions.
- Breathing techniques: Whenever the child gets angry, teach him to deep breathe in through the nose and then exhale slowly through the mouth. You may make it even more enjoyable by calling it the “Blow the Balloon” game.
- Teach problem-solving: Every time two kids fight over a toy, instead of taking away the toy immediately, try saying, “Can we take turns playing with it?”
- Calm corner: Designate an area in the house where the child can go whenever he feels angry or sad. Keep some coloring books, soft toys, or cushions in this area.
6. Provide social opportunities.
Children do not develop emotionally in isolation; they learn through play, occasional fighting, and making up with others.
- Visit parks or play-dates: Give the child opportunities for social interaction.
- Clubs and activity classes: Dance, art, or music classes teach the child to work in teams and communicate.
- Discuss interactions: Have a post-play discussion by asking “What did you like most about today?” or “How do you feel when your friend took your toy?”
Simple ways of teaching EQ via everyday life
- Chat during dinner, share the family life experiences.
- Make it a ritual to ask, “What made you the happiest today?” every night before this child sleeps.
- Your child’s feelings should never be dismissed when validated; this leads to regression with time.
- Never cease to compliment here, repeating it over and over until it begins to sink in.
Conclusion
Teaching emotional intelligence cannot be achieved overnight. It is a long, continuous process filled with great love and patience in an atmosphere that promotes such growth. And if we give our child the means to comprehend emotions while expressing them in a courteous manner and caring for others, we have given him or her one of the greatest gifts in life-the knowledge of understanding himself and others.
For, indeed, an emotionally healthy child is one who is happy, confident, caring for others, and thus will become responsible and successful.
