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The ability to correctly recognize your emotions and manage them is the key to both professional success and a happy life. Therefore, it is important to develop emotional intelligence, and you need to start from an early age. Here are 6 exercises that will be useful for your child – and for you.
Yesterday, Vita, my 4-year-old daughter, drew a bright picture of many colored shapes and said that it was called “The Labyrinth of Happiness”. We have been walking through this maze since childhood, and emotional intelligence can become one of the main assistants on the way.
Emotional intelligence, EQ is the basis of positive thinking, the foundation of a successful life and personal happiness. That is why it is so important to develop it. Understanding emotions, the ability to recognize the feelings, intentions and motivations of others opens up more opportunities, does not allow you to give up in a difficult situation.
Only what you see can be controlled. And a developed EQ makes it possible to manage not only your own experiences, but also the feelings of others.
An emotionally stable child is distinguished by friendliness, self-confidence and calmness.
Children see the world through the lens of emotions. For a child with an underdeveloped EQ, failure becomes a personal tragedy and a reason to doubt himself.
And an emotionally stable child is distinguished by friendliness and responsiveness, self-confidence and calmness, purposefulness and focus on results. He can become a successful diplomat or businessman, a loving spouse and a happy parent.
Women have more control over emotions than men. A girl from early childhood learns compassion, responsiveness and understanding. Each doll game allows you to imagine yourself as a wife, daughter and mother.
EQ Development Techniques for Adults and Children
It is not so important what we teach children as what example we set. And the most important example is the ability to be happy.
1. Box of emotions
It is useful to create your own box of happiness in your imagination. “Add” into it everything that you associate with happiness visually, aurally, taste, smell and touch. And then create the same box with your child, discussing his emotions with him in detail. Example:
- Vision – a happy smile of a child;
- Hearing – the sound of the sea wave;
- Taste – sweet strawberries;
- Smell – the aromas of the forest after the rain;
- Touch – hugs of a loved one.
2. Language of emotions
It will help not only understand your own feelings, but also allow others to understand you better. Such communication with a partner, colleagues and especially with a child will become the basis of mutual understanding in the family and at work. To do this, enter the formula into your speech: “I feel … because …, and I would like …”.
Using the example of communicating with a child, this formula may sound like this: “I’m upset that you spilled water with paints. I wish you were more careful. Now let’s get together.”
3. How do I feel today
The essence of the game is that every evening the child himself chooses the emotion of today. “Today I felt joy (sadness, curiosity, anger…) when…” To do this, print out all the emotions of the child’s favorite character, which he will choose to indicate his experiences. This game teaches awareness and acceptance of one’s own feelings.
4. Emotional photo album-journey
It is interesting to take pictures not only in the style of “me and the sights”. Try taking emotional photos: “Ah! This palm tree is like a huge cactus – you have to try it”, “The tower does not fall ?!”, “Zhuuuuk!”.
Believe me, such photos are very pleasant to look at with the whole family. And they can also tell stories about the journey. Print out several photos, shuffle and create a new story of your trip.
5. Emotions in colors
You can make your own gallery of emotions, where each picture is an emotion expressed by the colors and composition that the child chooses. It’s great to draw at the same time and compare how you get joy, sadness, anger.
6. Compass of emotions
A unique game that not only introduces the child to emotions, but also shows what feelings a person feels in a given situation. The essence of the game: everyone receives a set of 8 cards: joy, fear, interest, inspiration, doubt, surprise, trust, anger. The list can be supplemented.
It is difficult for children to talk about their emotions. And in the game they reveal them
The guessing player comes up with a word-concept-situation and, choosing a suitable emotion for it, puts the card in a closed circle. The rest of the players must guess: what kind of emotion does the player feel about the situation.
For example, a mother can choose a “joy” card for the concept of “September 1”, and a daughter can choose “fear”. It is difficult for children to talk about their emotions. And in the game they reveal them.
And do not forget about reading books and good music. These are timeless resources for knowing yourself, others and the whole world.
About expert
Victoria Shimanskaya – psychologist, author of the methodology for the development of emotional intelligence of children “Academy of Monsikov”, author of the book “Monsikov. What are emotions and how to deal with them. Mother of two children.