When children first start going to school, it’s easy to focus mainly on academics. Emotional intelligence skills, such as empathy, self-regulation, and communication, are also part of the school day. Just as you can support math and reading together with your child at home, you can also help them build their emotional intelligence through everyday moments and routines. Emotional intelligence helps your child build healthy relationships with peers and adults, problem-solve effectively, and make the most of their learning.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

• Emotional intelligence helps children better understand and manage their emotions. Children can more easily maintain positive relationships and showing empathy for others.

 

• Emotional intelligence can help your child set and achieve goals and make responsible decisions.

• When emotional intelligence is built early, research shows that children achieve greater academic performance and emotional wellbeing. 

Easy Ways to Work on Emotional Intelligence at Home

• Talk with your child about feelings. This helps children identify what they’re feeling, and let’s them know it’s okay to feel sad or frustrated sometimes.

• Books are a great way to talk with your child. Read aloud with your child and talk about the characters. Ask them why they think a character felt a certain way, and what they would do if they were in that situation.

• Practice problem-solving and coping strategies with your child. Let them know that if they have trouble sharing or are upset with a friend, to work on a solution together. You can also help your child learn to better manage their emotions by taking deep breaths, talking to a trusted adult, or going to a quiet place for a quick break.

• Acknowledge when your child shows care or an act of kindness to others. Let them know how their actions make a difference. For example, you can say, “I noticed that you shared your crayons with your friend. I bet that made them feel good, and they were able to finish drawing their picture!”

While children expand their emotional intelligence skills at school while interacting with their teachers and peers, building these skills can also start at home. If you are in need of more resources regarding emotional intelligence, please reach out to our Child Care Resource and Referral team at 561-514-3300 or visit https://www.elcpalmbeach.org/child-care-resource-referral.