Experts say that children with high EQs will grow up to be more successful in life, due to the following reasons:

• They handle stress and anxiety better and have better problem solving capabilities, which pave the way for them to have successful careers.
• In general, they have better temperaments that will help when faced with problems and aggressive people.
• They are known to be closer to, and have good relationships with their parents, with a tendency to mingle with other kids from similar backgrounds. This also paves the way for them to grow up into better-behaved teenagers.
• They will be less likely turn to substance abuse (be it alcohol, drugs or even over-eating) when life gets difficult.
• They will be more sensitive to the emotions of others and handle relationships better.
• They will have better developed social skills, and naturally more polite, outgoing and friendly.

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Children with higher EQs are said to be closer to their parents.

How do you develop your child’s EQ?

We all want our kids to be as happy and successful as they can possibly be.  We also want them to be good human beings. So it is very important to develop their EQ from a young age. Here are a few ways you can do this:

1. Teach her how to identify their feelings from an early age

A toddler throwing a tantrum is an ideal opportunity. Get your child tell you what she is feeling as opposed what she wants; is she feeling sad or angry? Likwise, do this in happy moments too. Your child will learn to identify her different emotions, and in time, verbalise and deal with them.

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Teach your child to express her feelings

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2. Always show empathy

Empathising doesn’t mean agreeing. Once you teach your child to talk about how she is feeling, she will (in true kid-style) tell you how she is feeling ALL THE TIME! Handle this by acknowledging her feelings, and if you can’t agree to what she wants, explain why.

3. Teach her problem solving

For instance, if your child comes crying to tell you she’s feeling angry that her brother has torn her artwork, use the opportunity to show her how to deal with the issue. Praise her for not yelling at her brother. Thank her for telling you about the issue and for sharing her feelings with you. Give her options how she can fix the problem; suggest that both of you paste the picture back together, or that you can help her create something new. This will show her that there’s always a solution(s) to a problem. Follow through with the solution she chooses.

4. Teach her to be sensitive to others

This is a follow-up from the previous tip. Your child will emulate the way you show compassion towards her, teaching her extend the same principle towards others. Very soon, you will see your child asking a friend why she is sad and offering to cheer her up. I have experienced this with my own daughter and can attest to its effectiveness! And as a result, your child will learn how to be a good friend too.

It is important to teach your kid to be sensitive to other people’s feelings and needs.

5. Lead by example through managing your own feelings

Dealing with our feelings appropriately – whether it be by keeping our emotions in check – presents yet another teaching opportunity. For instance, if your child breaks something you love, you might flare up quickly. Take a minute to get your temper in check, then communicate how you are feel and discuss what the consequences will be. By this, she will learn how to deal with similar future situations, and that there are repercussions to her actions.

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