Reem Raouda, an educational specialist from the United States, specializes in providing programs that support parents in nurturing and effectively educating their children. Raouda is particularly interested in developing children’s EQ (emotional intelligence) skills, which Harvard University’s Daniel Goleman has shown to be key to success in both personal life and career.
To that end, Raouda studied the behaviors of over 200 children and found that those with high EQs consistently demonstrated certain actions.
Exceptional ability to communicate their own emotions.
The American specialist notes that children with high EQs are often quite adept at expressing their own emotions. “For instance, your child might say, ‘I feel frustrated that I can’t solve this math problem,’ or ‘I’m happy to help you fix that toy,’ indicating an ability to recognize and convey their own thoughts,” according to Raouda.
Raouda encourages parents to open up to their children, sharing stories from their own day and modeling healthy emotional expression in how they talk to the child, such as “I was so surprised by what you did today,” or “Daddy will be sad if you don’t try harder.”
Children with high EQs are skilled at recognizing and understanding their own emotions and the emotions of others.
Adaptability in the face of change.
Raouda believes that when a child is able to take a disappointment in stride, find a solution, or look at a problem from an optimistic perspective, it’s a sign of emotional development.
For instance, when a planned family picnic is rained out, rather than sulking or becoming upset for the rest of the day, a child with resilience will maintain a positive attitude and find alternative ways to have fun, such as watching a movie or having a small party indoors.
The American specialist suggests that to cultivate adaptability in children, parents need to be flexible and calm when faced with less-than-ideal situations. That way, children will observe and learn from their parents’ behavior, and with encouragement, they will also be supported in generating solutions of their own.
A child that is able to take disappointment in stride, find a solution, or look at a problem from an optimistic perspective shows signs of emotional development.
Skillful listeners.
Emotionally intelligent children are often perceptive to unspoken cues that others may miss. They are able to focus their attention on what others are saying, while also picking up on subtle details and the emotions behind the words. This skill helps them to communicate more effectively, making it easier to build and maintain relationships.
Raouda recommends that parents start by giving their children their full attention when communicating with them, asking questions that show genuine interest and listening attentively.
Emotionally intelligent children are often perceptive to unspoken cues that others may miss.
Capacity for empathy.
According to the educational specialist from the United States, children with high EQs not only observe but also sense and understand the emotions of others, showing sympathy and a willingness to help.
For instance, when on a playdate, your child might notice another child who seems sad or upset after losing a game. Your child recognizes this and, without hesitation, offers comfort or suggests playing a different game, reflecting their sensitivity and compassion.
To develop this skill, parents can talk to their children about the emotions they experienced in their own interactions with others throughout the day, and guide them on how to offer support to someone who is having a difficult time. Raouda also encourages parents to show concern for others; children often learn through observation and imitation, and their emotional intelligence will grow as a result.
4 Signs Your Child Has High Emotional Intelligence: A Key to Future Success
Recent research on 200 children has revealed four key signs that your child may have a high emotional quotient (EQ) – a quality that is crucial to a child’s success in life.
