Introducing emotional intelligence to children at a young age offers numerous benefits, which include supporting their physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and personal development, all of which contribute to strong character formation. Emotional intelligence is referred to as how one perceives, understands and adjusts emotions. It plays a crucial role in early childhood, helping children develop the social skills needed to interact effectively with others.

During this stage, children are more receptive to observe, watch and follow what others do. It is a key aspect of early childhood development, enabling children to absorb information and skills by observing, mimicking, and following the actions of others, particularly parents and caregivers. Hence, parents and educators play a role in providing support and lead through positive emotional examples.

Why Is Emotional Intelligence Important For Children?

Children who lack emotional intelligence may struggle to understand and express their own emotions, which can affect their interactions with others. For example, they might find it difficult to navigate social situations during group play, as they may have trouble understanding their peers, showing empathy, and articulating their feelings which often leads them to prefer playing alone.

Ways To Foster Emotional Intelligence In Children

Here are some ways that you can instill emotional intelligence in your children:

Practice healthy emotions

Children learn by observing the behavior of adults, so it’s important to model positive actions and responses in everyday situations. For instance, demonstrating kindness and staying calm during challenging moments can help children learn how to regulate their own emotions.

Teach emotion words

Introduce your children to emotional words such as happy, sad, love, anxious, and scared to help them express themselves more effectively. You can also engage in simple roleplay activities where they identify different emotions based on various scenarios. This not only strengthens their emotional vocabulary but also deepens their understanding of their own feelings in different situations.

Pro-tip: Another great way to help children understand and express their emotions is through art. Encourage them to draw or paint how they feel, this creative outlet allows them to communicate their emotions in a way that feels natural and fun!

There are many advantages to children with high emotional intelligence as they are able to form strong connections and build meaningful, and impactful relationships. While children may experience a range of emotions, it is important to guide them to manage those emotions appropriately. Knowing how to cope with difficult situations enables them to be resilient when facing challenges!

Watch our video with experts at ‘The Pillars’ where they share invaluable insights on how you can support children’s emotional growth. Watch the video here!