Emotional intelligence (EI) is one of the aspect of life many parents fail to pay attention to especially in African part of the world where only physically seen things are believed to exist. But I can tell you for free that a child's emotion has a way it determines the success of every aspect of the child's life or general progress. As a matter of fact, nurturing emotional intelligence in your children is paramount as it equips them with vital skills for success in academics, relationships and life.
What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)
Emotional intelligence encompasses self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation and skill from within. It involves recognising and managing emotions effectively, and also knowing when to separate emotions from reasoning when trying to make a decision. Children with high emotional intelligence tend to perform better academically, have a better mental health, and develop stronger and happier relationships.
Tips for Parents to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children
Model Emotional Intelligence
Every children learn by example, and you are the first to set that example for them. What this implies is that you as a parent must be emotionally intelligent to raise an emotional intelligent children. If you have hurts or grudges from your previous relationships and dealings with people, you have to heal and let go so as not to pass it down to your children. Demonstrate healthy emotional expression and regulation in your interactions and dealing with them.
Open Communication
The best way to relate with your children and get see their heart is through open Communications. Discuss with the as their friend by creating a safe space for your children to express themselves without judgment or punishment. Be an active listener to your children to build trust and empathy.
Teach them Emotional Vocabularies
Help your children articulate their emotions by teaching a wide range of feeling words. This empowers them to express themselves better and also understanding emotional situations. Let the know the difference between feelings, empathy, emotions, love, obsession, infatuation, like etc. Understanding emotional words for what they are not only help them but also improves how people see them and their worth.
Validate Emotions
Acknowledge and validate your child's feelings, even if you don't agree with them, it helps them feel understood and accepted. Validating ones emotions is very important and neglected but actually that is the easiest way you can correct, redirect and influence one's thought process.
Managing Emotions and Reasoning
Guide children in identifying emotions, understanding their triggers and finding constructive ways to solving them. This is actually where a whole lot of adults miss it and misjudge situations. There is a very big difference between emotions and reasoning for instance something can be emotionally right and not be legally acceptable or right with facts and reasoning. This in order words can mean that emotions are relative but facts and reasoning are not.
Empathy Development
Encourage perspective taking by discussing various viewpoints in different situations, this helps them analyse and understand situations without biasment. You can engage in activities that helps them understand other's feelings, tell them stories or situations that presents different views to a topic to help them understand your teachings.
The Role of Positive Reinforcement
Acknowledge and praise your children's efforts to manage their emotions. Reinforcing positive behaviours helps build emotional intelligence in children.
Set Clear Boundaries
Define clear boundaries validating emotions, as this helps children understand differentiate acceptable emotional expressions from others. This also makes the accepted and understood.
Regulate Social Media (SM)
While your children navigate through social media, it is essential you regulate them since social media is a place where children can learn new things, unlearn and relearn. You must teach then how to navigate the SM space mindfully and also encourage offline activities that promotes emotional connection and understanding.
Seek Support
In case you notice any emotional struggles in your children, don't hesitate to seek a professional help or counsellor can help solve or correct the issue.
Conclusion
Raising emotional intelligent children is a gradual process that requires patience, empathy and consistency. It also needs to be implemented by all parents. By fostering emotional intelligence in children, parents lay strong foundation for their children's lifelong well-being and success in tackling every aspect of life.