Emotional intelligence is a beautiful human trait that parents should focus on nurturing and developing in their children from an early age. It helps children in the long run by enabling them to recognize and accept their inner emotions, leading to better emotional management, logical thinking, and anger control.
Some people link emotional intelligence to social intelligence, as both play a role in shaping a child’s life, social openness, and brighter future. That's why educators and child psychologists emphasize the importance of enhancing emotional intelligence in children and finding ways to develop it starting as early as ages 2 to 3.
In an interview with Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim, a professor of education and child psychology, more details were shared on the topic.
What Is Emotional Intelligence?
Two girls sharing a common hobby.
It refers to the child’s ability to understand and manage their own emotions effectively to ensure positive social interactions with others. It allows emotions to be used thoughtfully in decision-making processes.
Developing emotional intelligence in children helps them build healthy relationships, manage feelings such as anger or sadness, and express those feelings clearly.
A child with emotional intelligence can recognize their own emotions and feelings, accept them, and manage them. This includes self-control and knowing how to deal with anger or fear, while also understanding others, empathizing with them, and acquiring the social skills needed to solve problems.
Therefore, it's important to start teaching emotional intelligence between the ages of two and three.
Signs of Emotional Intelligence in Children
A child helping a friend put on a helmet.
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The child can express feelings like happiness, sadness, anger, or frustration—verbally or non-verbally.
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The child shows awareness of others’ emotions and understands their needs—for example, comforting someone who feels sad or anxious.
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The child can regulate their emotions, calm themselves in difficult situations, and manage anger without exploding.
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The child shows positive social interactions, builds good relationships, and resolves conflicts properly.
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The child pays attention to what others say, understands their emotions, and practices patience rather than reacting hastily or interrupting.
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The child adapts to challenging situations without becoming overly distressed or overwhelmed.
Key Emotional Intelligence Skills
A smiling girl expressing joy
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Emotional Awareness
The ability to recognize one’s own emotions and those of others. This helps the child understand what situations trigger certain feelings like anger or joy. -
Communication Skills
The child can express emotions properly and listen actively, helping them build strong, positive relationships. -
Self-Regulation
The child can manage their emotions and behavior across different situations, especially during moments of frustration or anger. -
Problem Solving
The child can think logically and creatively to solve emotional or social problems, and collaborate with others to resolve conflicts peacefully. -
Decision-Making
The child evaluates situations and considers emotions before making choices that are good for everyone involved.
5 Emotional Intelligence Exercises for Children
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Use emotion cards or pictures to help children recognize and name different feelings.
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Teach breathing exercises to calm down when feeling angry or frustrated.
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Encourage the child to journal their feelings and daily experiences to better understand them.
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Practice active listening with friends or family without interrupting, and share thoughts afterward.
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Present hypothetical situations and ask your child how they’d handle them emotionally or socially.
Basic Steps to Develop Emotional Intelligence
Children playing with love and empathy
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Talk about emotions regularly:
Discuss your child's feelings and the feelings of others. Label emotions such as happiness, sadness, or anger using stories and real-life examples. -
Encourage empathy:
Ask questions that help your child think about how others feel and why, building emotional understanding. -
Regulate emotions:
Teach your child to manage negative feelings like anger or frustration with tools like deep breathing or counting to ten. -
Promote active listening:
Train your child to listen attentively, respect others' feelings, and respond thoughtfully.
Stages of Emotional Intelligence Development in Children
A baby crying intensely
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Age 0–3 months:
Babies begin to show signs of discomfort or happiness. Due to limited physical movement, they express emotions through crying or cooing when hungry or in discomfort. -
Newborns and facial recognition:
Even newborns show emotional awareness by recognizing faces. By one month, a baby may smile in response to interaction or something that sparks interest. -
Signs of happiness in infants:
Wide-open arms and leg movements often indicate joy. -
Emotional development tips for infants:
Engage in frequent conversations, even if they don’t respond with words. This encourages babbling and seeking attention through emotional expression.
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