As a parent, the list of things you want to teach your children is likely a mile long. Some of those things will help them excel in their studies and improve their academic career. But it’s just as important to teach them the things that will guide them through everyday interactions and relationships.
One of the most important things you can foster in your child is emotional literacy.
Emotional literacy refers to how aware you are of your own feelings, as well as the feelings of others. People who learn to enhance their emotional intelligence are often better at recognizing and managing their own emotions while being empathetic toward others.
So, what can you do to enhance your children’s EQ and improve their emotional literacy? Let’s cover a few practical tips that can go a long way.
Teach Them to Identify Emotions
It can be difficult, especially for young children, to understand and process what they’re feeling. It’s even harder for them to express those feelings in healthy, appropriate ways. That can lead to tantrums and frustration.
It’s never too early to give your child an emotional vocabulary. When they can identify a wide range of emotions — including positive ones — they’ll be more likely to self-regulate no matter what they’re feeling.
Work with your child to help them understand their emotions. Give their feelings names so they can articulate what they’re going through at any given moment. The wider this vocabulary is, the more empowered and in-tune your child will feel with their emotions.
Be a Healthy Model
It might not always seem like it, but your child looks to you for guidance in nearly every area of life. One of the best ways to enhance your child’s EQ is by being a healthy role model of emotional literacy yourself.
How do you manage your emotions? What do you do when you’re feeling overwhelmed? Do you have a hard time handling things like anger or frustration? Think of how your responses to emotions might be impacting your child, and do what you can to make positive changes to those behaviors.
Don’t Dismiss Strong Emotions
It’s easy to want to sweep negative emotions under the rug or try to ignore them. However, it’s important to make sure your child knows they should never dismiss feelings. That includes the difficult ones.
Instead, teach them how to reframe strong or negative emotions. Be an active listener and allow them to explain what they’re going through. Validate their feelings. As they learn that no emotion is too heavy to talk about, they’ll be more likely to self-regulate. They’re also more likely to show empathy to others who might be struggling with negative emotions.
Feeling and Behaving
Self-regulation has a lot to do with how people respond to strong emotions. Everyone is entitled to their feelings. You can’t control the emotions that start to take over. However, you can control how you respond to them. That’s something that can be learned at an early age.
As a parent, you might have to step in when your child starts to act out their emotions, letting them know which behaviors are appropriate and which are not. Teach them how to respond to big feelings and cope in healthy, effective ways. Things like deep breathing exercises, physical activity, or drawing and writing can be great ways for children to express what they’re feeling without acting out negatively.
Reach out and schedule your first session today!
If you find that you’re struggling to help your child with emotional literacy, consider reaching out. It’s a huge responsibility for each parent, and not something you have to shoulder on your own. Contact an attachment-based therapist soon to set up a consultation.To start your therapy journey with Crossroads Counseling, please follow these simple steps:
- Contact Crossroads Counseling
- Meet with an attachment-based therapist
- Help your child grow in their EQ
Call us at 623-680-3486,text 623-688-5115, or email info@crossroadsfcc.com. You can ask all the questions you have and see how we can help you with parenting. Our offices are conveniently located throughout the Valley of the Sun including Phoenix, Anthem, and Scottsdale. We would be honored to support you in better understanding your relationship.
