After working with thousands of parents and their children of all ages over the past 20 years, I have discovered that they benefit greatly from learning the “how to’s” of Emotional Intelligence. As each developmental milestone is reached in a baby/child’s life, these techniques can smooth the transitions, resulting in emotionally happier families.
Research shows that if new parents start off using techniques designed to develop their child’s innate emotional skills, many future psychological and behavioral problems can be prevented. As with teaching a child to read, there will be steady progress and many rewards along the way. There is a large body of research on this topic, including the following.
Emotional intelligence can be broken down into five domains:
* a) knowing one’s emotions,
* b) managing emotions,
* c) motivating oneself,
* d) recognizing emotions in others, and
* e) handling relationships. *
* Melanie Richburg and Teresa Fletcher Emotional Intelligence: Directing a Child’s Emotional Education
To this list, I would add f) Learning from feelings, and applying new problem-solving skills to handle emotions.
Research shows us that each baby is born with a specific and unique potential for all the components of Emotional Intelligence. What the research also tells us is that many parents are not aware that their kids’ inborn potential can be greatly enhanced or undermined by parenting style. And even if they know that improvement is possible, most parents are not taught the best ways teach these emotional intelligence -Time-In skills.
Parents’ intention is to raise great kids, and research shows that emotionally healthy children:
* Are better learners
* Have fewer behavior problems
* Feel better about themselves
* Are better able to resist peer pressure
* Are less violent and more empathetic
* Are better at resolving conflicts
* Are less likely to engage in self-destructive behavior (drugs, alcohol, teenage pregnancy)
* Have more friends
* Have better impulse control, and are better able to delay gratification
* Are happier, healthier and more “successful”
You can read more about the findings of Daniel Goleman and others here: http://eqi.org/eidefs.htm
Next Post : Teaching Emotional Intelligence to babies
Email or Dm me @listentomepleas for help in a consultation on how to teach your baby/toddler/preschooler Emotional Intelligence
By Ava Parnass – Ava Parnass, a.k.a. “The Kid Whisperer,” is an author, songwriter and child therapist who specializes in marrying Entertainment, Emotional Intelligence i.e. Time-In not Time-Out for kids. Ms Parnass helps kids figure out how they feel through playing, talking, listening,reading, singing and dancing. Her multi-media materials, books and songs encourage parents and kids to read and sing along, in the process learning how awareness of feelings “Emotional Intelligence” improves problems and behavioral issues. Website: http://listentomeplease.com/ Blog: http://owl.li/72k8s Twitter: @ListenToMePleas
Originally on site
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Emotional Intelligence is so important and needs to be taught tochidlren fairly early on. Recently I saw a child who did not have this and found relationships and friendships incredibly hard. Thank you fro writing this blog post.
Thanks Naomi, appreciate! Yes it makes everything hard in life without good emotional skills.
I see so many children becoming anxious, depressed or acting out because parenst dont know how to teach Emotional skills well.We need to help kids understand the feelings hiding underneath their behavior!