Emotional education: 13 very useful strategies for children

There are ways of learning that can boost our children's emotional intelligence.

Emotional education is key to the present and future well-being of the youngest children.. In recent decades, a concept has burst with force in the field of psychology, both in clinical, occupational, educational and sports, is emotional intelligence.

• Emotional intelligence has proven to have many benefits, as we explained in our article "The 10 benefits of emotional intelligence".

How to educate in emotional intelligence

In the following lines we propose a series of strategies and tips for emotional education in children.

1. Teach them that they can't always have what they want

One of the great conflicts we human beings frequently encounter is learning to control our impulses. Emotional intelligence is key for us to learn to manage them; however, it is necessary to be able to identify them first.

That is why it is important to start teaching them from an early age that they cannot always get what they want.. For example, whenever possible, it is necessary to explain to them the consequences of their actions. With this type of actions self-control is fomented.

2. To let him/her express emotions

Some adults believe that the children are too small to understand certain things. But already in early ages we must trust our children and allow them to express themselves freely, including their emotions.. If we give them a space of comfort so that they can confide their feelings to us, we will be giving them a positive message that they can apply in other contexts, for example, school.

• Recommended article: "The 8 types of emotions (classification and description)".

3. Create a space for dialogue

It is not necessary to treat children as adults, but it is necessary to encourage dialogue, that they learn at an early age. This is important so that children grow up with the necessary dialogue skills to become people capable of negotiating and reaching agreements with other people. In the adult world, interpersonal relationships are important for mental and emotional well-being..

4. Working on empathy

Empathy, i.e., putting oneself in the other person's place, is also one of the most important elements of emotional intelligence and should therefore be taught when children are young. This is also important to make sure that the previous point is carried out, because then they will be able to agree and agree in a democratic way. Empathy is key for them to let go of their self-centeredness.

5. Teach them to be self-motivated

Self-motivation is also essential in emotional intelligence, but it is frequent that many people, when faced with failures, become pessimistic. To make them understand that failures are opportunities for growth and to stimulate them in this sense in early ages is essential so that they become optimistic people.

6. Use the example

Sometimes it is easy to tell others what to do, but especially when it comes to raising a child, we must be a good example for him or her.. It is a fundamental point, because parents are role models for their children, something we must not forget. This is another of the practical keys of emotional education.

7. That they learn active listening

Listening is not the same as hearing. We can hear what someone is saying to us but be thinking about our turn in the conversation without the other speaker having finished his or her turn, or we can listen with all five senses, i.e., listen actively. When someone communicates with us, they not only express what they say in words, but they also speak their nonverbal language and emotions. Paying attention to this is key to communicating fully with other individuals.

• If you want to teach a child how to develop active listening, you can read our article "Active listening: the key to communicating with others".

8. Give them examples to solve their problems

Developing problem-solving skills is necessary to adapt to the changing environment in which we find ourselves.. Not only children, but adults are also overcome by negative emotions. If we set examples for children, it is easier for them to learn to manage their emotions and the conflicts around them.

9. Emotional self-knowledge

The first step to become an emotionally intelligent person is to know one's own emotions and label them. knowing one's own emotions and labeling them. To do this, it is possible to perform different exercises such as, for example, the emotional diary. In which they can write down how they have felt throughout the day and thus reflect on the experience. It is important that the

10. Stories

The use of stories is an ideal alternative for children to increase their emotional intelligence, something that will positively influence their well-being. In the market there are different stories for children to develop emotional intelligence.. Adults, on the other hand, can read some of the books listed in our article "10 books on emotional intelligence you need to read".

11. Videos

Books are an interesting strategy to educate children emotionally; however, another educational resource in this sense is to use audiovisual content, which is both entertaining and formative.

Recommended article: "15 movies about emotional intelligence that you should watch".

12. Congratulate them and highlight the positive aspects of their learning.

Positive reinforcement is one of the most common forms of teaching, but it is also highly effective, especially for children.But it is also highly effective, especially at this age. Whenever the child does something well that is related to emotional education, you can reinforce his action, so that he understands that what he has done is right and reflects on it.

13. Exercises

Many experts believe that emotional education should be mandatory in schools, since emotions are an important part of our life and affect our behavior and emotional state.Emotions are an important part of our life and affect our behavior and our emotional state. If you want to know some practical activities to emotionally educate the little ones, in our article "8 activities to work on emotions" you can find a great selection of exercises.