Knowing that every word you say and action you take can have a profound affect on your children—not just now but for the rest of their lives—is pretty overwhelming. Most parents want to make sure they pack enough information into their child’s early years to ensure a successful path ahead—perhaps speaking a second language around the house, exposing them to classical music or getting them started with a sport as early as possible. But what if the most important thing isn’t what you teach your children, but how you teach them?
While many families focus on building their children’s IQ (Intelligence Quotient) from a young age, they often neglect nurturing their EQ (Emotional Intelligence). While a high IQ can set your child up for good grades and hopefully a great career, a high EQ can set them up for a great life. EQ competencies include empathy, intuition, creativity, flexibility, resilience, coping, stress management, leadership, integrity, authenticity, intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills—all vital components as a child’s personality begins to develop and they begin to interact with others.
One of the first (and most simple) ways in which we can teach our children EQ skills is to lead by example. By staying calm in the face of any behavior they throw at you, listening to (and accepting) their feelings and responding to them with compassion, you'll gradually teach your child to regulate their own emotions, even when faced with stressful situations. Being mindful of the way in which you teach your children and paying attention to their reactions is also key in raising children who feel free to be themselves.
Not only will you raise a child who is better able to understand their own emotions and thus the emotions of those around them, you’ll also foster a much stronger bond between you and your child. Plus, studies show that children with higher levels of empathy often go on to be more successful in the traditional—career/monetary—sense anyway, so it’s a win-win!
While many families focus on building their children’s IQ (Intelligence Quotient) from a young age, they often neglect nurturing their EQ (Emotional Intelligence). While a high IQ can set your child up for good grades and hopefully a great career, a high EQ can set them up for a great life. EQ competencies include empathy, intuition, creativity, flexibility, resilience, coping, stress management, leadership, integrity, authenticity, intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills—all vital components as a child’s personality begins to develop and they begin to interact with others.
One of the first (and most simple) ways in which we can teach our children EQ skills is to lead by example. By staying calm in the face of any behavior they throw at you, listening to (and accepting) their feelings and responding to them with compassion, you'll gradually teach your child to regulate their own emotions, even when faced with stressful situations. Being mindful of the way in which you teach your children and paying attention to their reactions is also key in raising children who feel free to be themselves.
Not only will you raise a child who is better able to understand their own emotions and thus the emotions of those around them, you’ll also foster a much stronger bond between you and your child. Plus, studies show that children with higher levels of empathy often go on to be more successful in the traditional—career/monetary—sense anyway, so it’s a win-win!