The crux of Emotional Intelligence for children (EQ) lies in the ability of children to discern, deconstruct, demonstrate and manage their emotions so that children can connect and communicate with everybody smartly, openly, and transparently. Children need to control and creatively express feelings so that they can react to the emotions of others in healthier ways.
Top 4 benefits of teaching Emotional Intelligence in children
Research indicates there are multiple advantages associated with high levels of Emotional Intelligence. The developing child gains a bouquet of benefits, building solid foundations to become emotionally stronger and withstand adverse circumstances. Here are the tangible benefits of cultivating EQ as an asset in growing children.
Higher IQ, Better grades
Children with high EQ invariably possess higher IQs and such children perform better in challenging tests and tend to score higher grades.
Sharper conflict resolution, Better relationships
Higher levels of Emotional Intelligence for kids make them better conflict managers and likely more deeply involved in cultivating good relationships in school and socially.
More tolerant of failure, Primed for success
Studies highlight the contribution of EQ to career success. Children who exhibited a caring sharing mentality were better at taking instructions and forming meaningful relationships and were more likely to complete degrees and work in stable jobs.
High mental health quotient
Higher Emotional Intelligence bestows a protective supportive armor coating against depressive thinking and negativity. Children with higher EQ were less prone to mental illnesses and disorders.
Is there a way to measure Emotional Intelligence in kids?
In traditional intelligence tests (IQ), the child is put through a battery of tests that measure abilities in vocabulary, reading comprehension, memory retention, reasoning and deductive skills, and mathematical abilities.
On the other hand, a qualified and experienced mental health professional would measure Emotional Intelligence through learning disability testing. Here, the importance is given to emotional literacy, empathy, intrinsic motivation, and the ability to navigate different emotions.
Two popular EQ testing methodologies in Emotional Intelligence development are:
- The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT);
- The Emotional and Social Competence Inventory (ESCI).
An EQ score of 100 would categorize the child as a healthy but average performer; 115 and above would be very good, and a score as low as 85 would indicate challenges to be overcome.
Teaching Emotional Intelligence in early childhood helps the child pay attention in class, become more responsive and engaged in school, cultivate positive relationships, and show more empathy with colleagues and peers.
Is there a connection between EQ scores and career success?
A non-profit awareness group, the Emotional Intelligence Network, tracked EQs in 126 countries and found a strong, positive relationship between Emotional Intelligence scores and performance success, general well-being, and relationships.
Higher EQ provides four-fold gains in a child’s development;
Result orientation: When you nurture Emotional Intelligence in schools, children become better influencers and decision-makers.
Stronger interpersonal ties: Show more nuanced networking and stronger community relationships.
Improved wellness: Function at optimal energy with better balance and health.
Better quality of life: Higher achievement with improved satisfaction levels.
10 traits underscoring the importance of Emotional Intelligence in child development
These are the primary indicators of emotional Intelligence that teachers and parents look for and encourage in school-going children.
1. The child can recognize the nature of their feelings and reciprocate the feelings of others positively.
2. The child exhibits enough self-confidence to interact with everybody and is aware enough to work around its faults.
3. The child shows empathy, reflected in how they approach other people and their problems.
4. There is ample awareness in the child of its strengths and weaknesses, and the child responds well to opportunities.
5. The child appears better equipped to manage their emotions in adverse circumstances.
6. There’s a marked ability to acknowledge mistakes and learn from past follies.
7. The child takes ownership of their ideas and is willing to charter their ship through unknown waters.
8. The child does not recoil from change and adapts quickly to a changing, challenging environment.
9. Higher sensitivity to the feelings of others makes the child more likely to develop into a team player.
10. A higher tolerance threshold to negativity and social disruption keeps such children emotionally grounded and stable.
Why EQ is the prime responsibility of parents and Emotional Intelligence teachers
The chances of a successful and brighter future increase when you consciously endeavour to enhance your child’s Emotional Intelligence, and such efforts yield the best results when the kids are in kindergarten.
In the growing years, the child’s mind is like a sponge, grabbing all the lessons learned in transit, translating into more emotionally intelligent and mature adults positioned on a healthier career trajectory.
Promoting Emotional Intelligence in education enables children to learn about emotions and build on this foundation, strengthening each feeling and creating successful, intelligent, emotionally anchored humans.
Conclusion
Emotional Intelligence is a significant factor influencing the development of a child. It is imperative to practice protocols that strengthen and stabilize emotions.
A trained mental health professional associating with parents and teachers in Emotional Intelligence schools can spark great responses in children with EQ flowering to their full potential.
A variety of therapies can help model healthy emotional awareness in children. After all, isn’t it in everybody’s best interests that children grow into healthy, happy, productive humans?
