How To Promote The Emotional Intelligence Of Our Children

Emotional intelligence is the ability to properly recognize, appreciate and value our emotions and those of others, so that our actions can be in line with the emotions we feel.

What is emotional intelligence?

Much research has found that the abilities and skills necessary to be successful in life cannot be measured by any intelligence test. A bright brain and a high IQ is of little use to us if we do not understand the emotions of others and are not empathetic.

Most parents are aware that the education of their children is closely linked to the correct development of their emotions. Family relationships play a critical role in the emotional well-being of the entire family. In the same way, in the opposite case they are a cause of conflict and discomfort, causing negative emotions that affect the whole family.

A home characterized by peace, calm, harmony and happiness, will be a perfect environment to channel the emotions of your children. Parents are role models for their children. Therefore, parents must first have a good emotional awareness of their own, that is, be aware of their emotions, their causes and their possible consequences.

How to help our children to have emotional intelligence?

To help our children manage their emotions correctly, we must teach them to verbalize their emotions from a young age. It is good to teach them to connect with themselves, so that they can better understand how they feel and then can express it. Any time or situation of the day is suitable to practice and develop your own emotional awareness.

In addition, it is also important that you pay attention to your emotions, whether they are positive, for example when you are happy, or if they are negative, when you feel sad or angry, so that you can later label and name them. We must not forget the importance of looking for the cause of that emotion, trying to know what has caused it and, more importantly, why it makes them feel that way. In short, that they acquire an emotional awareness of their own.

In the case of negative emotions, it is good to teach them to look for alternatives to these emotions, that is, if something has caused them annoyance, make them see that in the same situation they can act in many ways and not always the decision that we take is the correct one. Emotions are in many cases responsible for our thoughts and actions, and that is why learning to know them and react to them can help us to have empathy and be more flexible.

Characteristics of parents with high emotional intelligence

• They have physical and mental tools for self-control.
• They are based first on facts rather than prejudice. First impressions are never decisive.
• They have the ability to see the good side of things, that is, to transform the negative into the positive.
• They know how to take responsibility for actions and take advantage of mistakes.
• They are able to set limits and be firm if necessary.
• They are open to meeting new people.

How to work emotional education in your child?

From a very young age, our children are exposed to many emotions and feelings that they must learn to perceive in a positive way in order to have appropriate behaviors. It depends on them that they have good social relations and an active participation in society that is reflected in personal satisfaction.

Here are some of the aspects that you should work with your child to work on the development of emotional intelligence:

Communication

• Find spaces to speak and listen openly and actively.
• Change closed questions to open questions.

Recognize strengths

• Congratulate the achievements and efforts that go into it.
• Don’t label inappropriate behaviors.
• Boost affection.

Help in difficult times

• Transmit security and a lot of calm.

Help manage your emotion

• Help him face the situation and find a solution together.
• Use all conflicts so that your child can learn from them.

Remember that fostering your child’s emotional intelligence will not only help them to have good communication and relationships at home, but will also allow them to function naturally in the future, make their own decisions and act accordingly.