– Deepali Mallya
Emotional intelligence in children can be nurtured. Parents, teachers and friends play a key role in helping the child enhance emotional intelligence.
Parents’ should model positive verbal and non-verbal behavior, being gentle and solution-oriented cultivates EI.
Model positive behavior
Talk to your child often. Ask them about their day. Listen to their stories actively.
Balance talking and listening
Maintain eye contact and actively engage in conversations by nodding your head and the like.
Express non-verbally too
Empathize with the child. Instead of judging them, ask how you can help.
Understand, don’t judge
Encourage good behavior and reprimand negative behavior immediately.
Address the good and the bad
Never engage in negative labeling. For example, don’t make statements such as “boys don’t cry.”
Discourage negative labeling
If your child is impulsive, teach them calming techniques such as counting from 1 to 10 when upset or angry.
Teach emotional control