Emotional intelligence is a special skill that consists of the abilities to recognise, understand, generate and process your own emotions. As well as receiving information of an emotional nature in such a way as to promote correct and constructive thinking.

 

The development of emotional intelligence begins in early childhood. A baby is born in an ordinary family. Everyone is happy for him and he sees smiling faces turned towards him. In the early months, the child already learns to recognise emotions visually and then through the gentle touch of the mother. Later, he learns to understand the emotions for himself, gaining experience in communication from adults and other children.

 

On the other hand, another child, almost doesn’t resemble him. Adults around him are busy with their own affairs. From time to time, reacting to his cries and satisfying his basic needs. He does not receive the emotional support that is necessary for the correct development in this area.

 

One could say that the formation of this emotional intelligence ends there, but no. Then, the children live among their relatives, see their ways of life and the communication between each other. Naturally, the child remembers the emotional reactions that have occurred in front of them. Moreover, children immediately understand that it is easier and faster to get a reaction from an adult with bad behaviour rather than good behaviour. 

 

There is a great English proverb on this subject: "Do not raise your children, they will still be like you. Nurture yourself."

 

 

- Develop emotions during games. Ask the child ‘What emotions does the main character feel?’ (sad or funny, angry or kind, but what made him angry? And so on);

- Looking at photographs or cards with faces together, followed by a discussion of what emotions are reflected on their faces, in their poses and their facial expressions;

- Reading fairy tales and/ or stories about the mood. Talk about the morals of this book and try to get the child to understand the message beneath the story.

- Watching cartoons and films together followed by subsequent discussion;

- Sounding out your emotions ("I am angry now because ...", "I am sad that …”.).

 

It is even more difficult for an adult, since most of us hide our true emotions inside. Mostly due to the fear of being judged, misunderstood and/ or unaccepted.

 

A person with developed emotional intelligence, not only manages their emotions well and solves the problems associated with them, but also they constantly develop emotionally. Such a person knows very well that complex emotions cannot be ignored or suppressed. Doing so can result in serious health problems later down the line. A happy person not only achieves their goals, they also achieve the results that are necessary for them, and even develop spiritually.

 

- Develop awareness. Try to stop and listen to yourself: Who are you? Where are you? What do you want? What is your mood?

- Analyse your own emotional reactions. Why did you react to this situation in this manner, and not differently? What exactly caused this reaction?

- Improve your self-esteem. After all, a confident person is always honest with himself and his family.

- Watch the connection between your emotions and your behaviour. Keep track of your destructive emotions, transform them and direct them in the right direction.

- Do not ignore or suppress your emotions, they are an integral part of your life. So, allow yourself to be angry, annoyed, afraid, proud, and so on.

 

Remember that: CHILDREN SEE, CHILDREN DO!