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Parenting Tips: How to Develop Emotional Intelligence in Kids

Which is more important – EQ or IQ? 

While both are critical in a child’s overall development, EQ, in particular, is a b indicator of a child’s success later on in life.1 How can parents foster the development of their child's emotional quotient (EQ) more effectively, and in what ways might they be unintentionally hindering this progress?

Helping your child develop emotional intelligence (EQ) is one of the best gifts you can give them for their growth and future success. Emotional intelligence involves comprehending and regulating emotions - both one's own and those of others. It is critical to building b relationships, handling stress, and making good decisions. By improving EQ, you can help your child become more resilient, empathetic, and ready to tackle life's challenges. 1  

This article will share practical tips and easy strategies to boost your child's EQ, helping them grow up emotionally savvy and socially skilled. Let's dive into how to nurture this essential skill in your little one!

  • EQ vs IQ

  • The importance of EQ

  • How to develop emotional intelligence in kids

  • Providing EQ support through nutrition

Imagine your child confidently navigating the ups and downs of daily life, quickly making friends, and handling conflicts with grace. Here is the power of emotional intelligence. When children understand their feelings and those of others, they become better equipped to manage stress, communicate effectively, and form healthy relationships. 
How can emotional intelligence be developed? As a parent, you play a crucial role in this development. By incorporating simple, fun activities into your routine, you can help your child build these vital skills. Ready to discover how? Let’s explore some engaging ways to nurture emotional intelligence in your child, turning everyday moments into opportunities for growth and learning.

How to develop emotional intelligence in children?

Let’s first learn the difference between IQ and EQ.

 

IQ vs EQ

EQ and IQ are important, as these are essential for well-rounded development in children.  

Intelligence Quotient or IQ, for short,  refers to an individual's capacity to address issues and engage in logical thinking.2 When your child achieves high marks in school, it likely indicates a high IQ. Most cognitive tests measure this type of intelligence. These high marks also lead parents to believe that their children will become more successful.

Being highly intelligent academically does not guarantee long-term happiness or success. Research by economist James Heckman indicates that high income does not closely correlate with IQ. He says, personality, not IQ, plays a more critical role in social-emotional learning. In particular, he points to conscientiousness, marked by diligence, perseverance, and self-discipline.3

A more significant predictor of long-term success is EQ.3 EQ means having the “The skill to observe and recognise one's own emotions and those of others, to distinguish between different feelings, and to leverage this insight to steer one's thoughts and behaviours.”4 A skill, your children will carry with them, for life.

 

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial for children's well-being and future success. It helps them develop better relationships, improve communication, manage stress, solve problems effectively, and achieve academic success.5,6 Children with high EQ are more confident, empathetic, and compassionate. 6

Parents who believe in emotion-coaching and value negative emotions, use them as opportunities for bonding and guidance. They  have physically healthier children who do better in school and get along better with friends. 1 With practice, children improve their capacity for emotional self-regulation, a critical component of EQ. 1 By supporting your child's emotional intelligence, you give them the tools to thrive in all areas of life. They become more adaptable, socially skilled, and emotionally resilient, setting the stage for lifelong success and happiness.6

 

To nurture your child's emotional intelligence:

- Talk about feelings every day. Label emotions and discuss how characters in books or movies might feel. 6
- Show empathy. Validate your child's emotions and help them understand others' feelings. 5,6
- Teach problem-solving skills. Provide guidance, but help your child see that they can solve problems peacefully. 6
- Make emotional intelligence an ongoing goal. Incorporate skill-building into everyday life as your child grows older.6

 

How to Develop Emotional Intelligence in Kids

As a parent, you can help support and nurture your child’s EQ in many ways..  Check out the tips below on how to improve EQ: 

Acknowledge and support your child’s emotions1

Firstly, when your child is dealing with a problem or difficult situation, avoid dismissing their feelings and emotions. Ignoring their emotions can lead to them feeling devalued and not fully comprehended. Instead, acknowledge and validate their feelings. Let your child know that what they say, do, or how they think and feel is valid and that you understand them. You help your child feel valued and supported by showing empathy and listening attentively. This approach strengthens your bond and promotes a space where they can freely and sincerely share their feelings, thus supporting their emotional growth.

Teach them emotional self-regulation1, 6

Emotional regulation is crucial for your toddler’s overall development and well-being. Start by helping them identify and name their emotions through conversations, reading books about feelings, and using visual aids like emotion charts. Model healthy emotional regulation by staying calm and expressing your feelings constructively. Children learn a lot by observing adults. Engage in deep breathing exercises and use mindfulness practices to alleviate stress and achieve a sense of calm. Create a space that encourages open emotional expression without worrying about being judged, and offer comforting language and physical support when they are upset. Instead of immediately rushing to solve their issues, encourage them to think through solutions on their own, fostering independence and problem-solving skills. Praise their efforts in managing their emotions well, reinforcing the behaviours you want to see.

Build strength of will and determination7

Helping your child develop grit is essential for their ability to stick with challenges and achieve long-term goals. Start by setting small, achievable goals and teaching them the value of hard work and perseverance. Share stories of people who succeeded through determination, showing that setbacks are part of the journey. Encourage a "can-do" attitude by praising their efforts, not just their successes, and explaining that they can get better at anything with practice. Let them take on challenging tasks, offering support but allowing them to work through problems independently. Teach them to see mistakes as learning opportunities, reminding them that persistence and resilience will help them overcome obstacles. By fostering this mindset, you help them develop the grit they need to tackle life's challenges confidently. 

Manage situations with empathy8

Show empathy in your interactions with others. Your toddler learns a great deal by observing your actions and reactions. When they see you being empathetic, they are more likely to imitate that behaviour. Read stories that focus on emotions and empathy. Discuss the characters' feelings and how they resolve their issues. Doing this helps your toddler understand and relate to different emotional experiences. When your toddler shows empathy or manages their emotions well, praise them for it. Positive reinforcement encourages them to continue using empathetic responses in the future. Role play is an excellent way to teach empathy to kids. It allows children to step into someone else's shoes and understand different perspectives.

Remind children to be more mindful9

Encouraging kids to be mindful is essential for helping them deal with their emotions and stay calm under pressure. Just remind them now and then to take a break and tune into what's happening right now. They can take deep breaths, stroll or take a moment to check out their surroundings. Tell them it's all about being completely aligned with whatever thoughts and feelings pop up—no judging allowed! If they make mindfulness a part of their daily routine, they'll feel more relaxed, focused, and ready to handle whatever life throws their way.

Promote sharing while also teaching boundaries10

Sharing fosters cooperation, empathy, and a sense of community, valuable skills for building relationships. However, it is equally important for children to understand their needs and preferences and feel empowered to assert their boundaries when necessary. By teaching children about sharing and setting boundaries, we help them navigate social interactions confidently and respectfully. We can do this by setting good examples of healthy boundaries and teaching how to express needs clearly. Also, remember to commend their work in both describing and honouring boundaries. Ultimately, this balanced approach equips children with the tools to navigate social situations with empathy, confidence, and respect for themselves and others. 

Instil gratitude in Children11

Instilling gratitude in children is a beautiful way to nurture their emotional intelligence and help them grow into empathetic, kind, and connected individuals. When we teach our kids to appreciate the blessings in their lives, they learn to see the positives even in challenging situations, making them more resilient and emotionally b. As parents, you can foster gratitude by modelling the behaviour yourself. Be vocal about your gratitude by saying thank you, helping others, and performing acts of kindness, which sets a great example and creates a positive and loving environment for your children to thrive in.

Providing EQ Support with Nutrition

Supporting your child’s everyday growth and guiding them through difficult situations helps build their confidence and EQ. But apart from these habits and lessons, you can also take proactive steps to support their EQ growth by providing them with nutrition that offers exceptional IQ and EQ support.  

With the right milk, here’s how to develop emotional intelligence. Formulated with a unique blend of two key components, MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane) and expert DHA level, this milk helps prepare your child for future success. MFGM is a vital element that works with DHA, an essential Omega-3 fatty acid, to effectively boost executive function, emotional intelligence, attention span, and problem-solving skills. 12, 13

As parents, we are the primary teachers of our children. After all, they look up to us and emulate our actions and words. When we demonstrate high EQ—sharing what we have, managing our emotions, and actively listening and understanding our children—we become exemplary models for them to aspire to.

It’s never too early to cultivate your child’s EQ. Start now and witness how much they thrive in life.

Help your toddler thrive by supporting their IQ and EQ development through proper nutrition and other helpful approaches. For more tips, advice, or support, join the Enfamama A+ Club. Sign up to enjoy other rewards and privileges!

 

FAQs

1. Do we always need to protect and “rescue” our children from negative emotions and experiences? 7

As parents, we naturally want to protect our children from pain, challenges, and discomfort. But this may not be beneficial for their growth. By having our children avoid these experiences, we rob them of the opportunity to build emotional resilience and confidence in their ability to overcome difficult situations. Allowing them to navigate these experiences helps them understand their capability to solve problems independently and overcome negative emotions.  

2. How can parents and caregivers better support their child’s EQ development? How to improve emotional intelligence? 1

In EQ training, there are five simple ways you can better support your child: 

(1) Acknowledge and be sensitive to your child’s feelings.

(2) See their emotions as an opportunity for learning (and not an inconvenience).

(3) Listen and validate your child’s feelings.

(4) Help your child “label” and understand their emotions.

(5) Teach them the appropriate ways to cope and address problems. 

While all emotions are acceptable, not all behaviours are, so help your child exercise their problem-solving skills to set goals and arrive at solutions.

3. How important is EQ development in children? 1

According to research, EQ is twice as b a predictor of success later in life as IQ. Self-control, an aspect of emotional intelligence, is one of the most critical indicators. Children who exercised self-control were healthier, more successful financially, and had better behavioural control.

 

Related Articles

  1. 3 Ways MFGM Improves Early Childhood Development
  2. MFGM and Milk: The Child Nutrition and Brain Development Link
  3. Brain Development in Children
  4. Key Nutrients for Improved Brain Function
  5. New Scientific Formula

 

Expert Resource:
Dr Veena Angle
MBBS, MD (Medical Doctor)
CMPP (Certified Medical Publication Professional), Singapore

 

REFERENCES:

  1. How to Strengthen Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence, https://www.gottman.com/blog/strengthen-childs-emotional-intelligence/, Accessed June 5, 2024
  2. What is IQ and does it matter?, https://www.onecentralhealth.com.au/therapy/psychology/what-is-iq/#:~:text=IQ%20stands%20for%20intelligence%20quotient,answer%20questions%20or%20make%20predictions, Accessed June 5, 2024
  3. Personality has greater impact on success than IQ, new research suggests, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/personality-iq-success-wealth-factors-determining-prospects-intelligence-careers-james-heckman-a7880376.html, Accessed June 5, 2024
  4. Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4085815/#:~:text=Emotional%20intelligence%20can%20best%20be,proposed%20three%20models%20of%20EI, Accessed June 5, 2024
  5. Emotional Intelligence: What it means for kids. Understood for All. By Peg Rosen. Expert reviewed by Donna Volpitta, EdD. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-importance-of-emotional-intelligence-for-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences
  6. RAISING KIDS. How to Raise an Emotionally Intelligent Child. By Amy Morin, LCSW. Updated on March 27, 2021. Medically reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP. Very Well Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/tips-for-raising-an-emotionally-intelligent-child-4157946
  7. Helping Children to be Successful Developing Grit, https://www.montessori.org/helping-children-to-be-successful-developing-grit/, Accessed June 5, 2024
  8. Understanding Other People, https://www.akronchildrens.org/kidshealth/en/teens/understanding-others.html, Accessed June 5, 2024
  9. Improving Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Manage Emotions to Build Better Relationships and Achieve Success, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/emotional-intelligence-eq.htm, Accessed June 5, 2024
  10. Guiding and setting healthy boundaries with your child, https://www.chs-ca.org/blog/entry/guiding-and-setting-healthy-boundaries-with-your-child, Accessed June 5, 2024
  11. Teaching Kids the Importance of Gratitude: Thanksgiving 101, https://myhspediatrics.com/teaching-kids-importance-of-gratitude/, Accessed June 20, 2024
  12. Milk fat globule membrane (INPULSE) enriched formula milk decreases febrile episodes and may improve behavioral regulation in young children, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900711003741, Accessed June 5, 2024
  13. How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function, https://developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/How-Early-Experiences-Shape-the-Development-of-Executive-Function.pdf, Accessed June 5, 2024
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