When you’re a child, it’s common to say or do things you don’t really mean, especially when emotions are high. As parents, it’s your responsibility to help your child process and manage these emotions appropriately.
In Singapore, academic achievement is always a priority among young students, but what is often overlooked is the development of emotional intelligence, which is just as important.
Defining Emotional Intelligence and Its Importance
Emotional intelligence is the ability to express and manage emotions well, while also respecting other people’s feelings. This crucial skill should be taught as early as possible, as it significantly impacts how a child navigates the world and handles challenges.
Children with high emotional intelligence perform better in school, have better mental health, and form stronger relationships with those around them. In a nutshell, developing emotional intelligence is key to your child’s overall development.
How to Help Your Child Build Emotional Intelligence
Here are some ways to support the development of your child’s emotional intelligence:
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Help Them Recognise Their Feelings
Ask specific questions and help label their emotions. For example, if another child gets their favourite toy, you might say, “You look sad. Are you upset because you didn’t get the toy you wanted?” This helps them recognise their feelings and builds their emotional vocabulary.
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Be the First to Model Empathy
Children learn by observing the people around them. If you want to teach them about kindness, you need to lead by example. Show understanding, especially when they are being challenging. Acknowledge their feelings and help them navigate their emotions through conversation.
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Teach Appropriate Ways to Cope
A significant part of developing emotional intelligence is identifying healthy ways to deal with emotions. When your child is upset, teach them to take deep breaths to calm down. Encourage them to express their feelings through activities like colouring, making arts and crafts, or listening to music. Engaging their senses can be an effective way to help them feel calm and at peace.
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Build Problem-Solving Skills
Once your child understands what they are feeling, they need to learn how to address the problem. When they make a mistake, walk them through what happened and discuss what they could have done differently. Help them assess the pros and cons of each option and guide them in choosing the best solution.
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Seek Outside Help
While it’s primarily your responsibility as a parent to develop your child’s emotional intelligence, there are programmes in Singapore that offer social and emotional learning in their curriculum like BrainFit. We provide additional support to help your child build emotional skills.
Developing your child’s emotional intelligence is no easy feat, but with patience and practice, they’ll be better equipped with the skills they need to succeed in life.
Learn more about how BrainFit can help your child and check out our programmes here.