Actively Reaching a Child’s Emotional Intelligence

Scientist and authors such as Daniel Goleman have for years talked about Emotional Intelligence or EQ, with it slowly gaining traction over the years. However, it seems unable to undo the notion that EQ can matter more than IQ. Research supports this finding. People with high IQs are not guaranteed to succeed in life especially if they have low EQ. A child who at four can explain what a soffit or radiator is not guaranteed success if they cannot get along with others. Therefore, parents and teachers ought to train children in both areas if they are to grow up into well-rounded individuals.

What is EQ?

Emotional intelligence is knowing and managing one’s own emotions and those of others. It is characterized by self-awareness and self-control where one can reign in even the most negative of emotions and reactions. It affects all facets of one’s life, including the relationship they have with themselves and with others through friendships, the workplace, and even strangers.

The role in early child development

EQ is learned, and how individuals turn out is largely dictated by how they were raised. Therefore, how a parent or teacher reacts to their child’s emotions determines how they’ll grow up. When you acknowledge and help a child to be aware of their emotions, they can know how to handle them and develop empathy for others. These factors result in a happy life and achievements in all areas of their lives.

How parents and teachers can cultivate EQ

Children are great imitators. What they see in adults around them do is what they’ll replicate. The journey to aiding a child in developing EQ is by keeping one’s emotions and reactions in check. Studies of children in playground show that they replicate the behaviors they see at home. If one parent is violent, then the child is likely to do the same to another child with or without provocation. Parents should, therefore, develop their emotional intelligence by adopting techniques to help maneuver difficult emotions. You won’t always get it right. Even when you have an outburst quickly change your behavior by calming down and apologizing. Children will know to do the same in the even they react negatively to a situation.

Another approach to adopt when educating children EQ is by taking note and addressing their emotions as they come up. Don’t dismiss emotions that children have but rather acknowledge them. Go the extra mile and discuss them as they unfold by helping them look dear as to what the cause might be. This exercise is what sets apart adults who can note, get to the bottom of, and change negative emotions from people who go round with foul mood that they’re unable to change.