Amanda's Advice
Raising Healthy Adults:
Emotional Intelligence
Our aim as parents is to build happy, healthy, effective and independent adults. Self-confident children feel okay about themselves and are able to cope better & have a secure sense of themselves within relationships. These children will become healthy contributors to society.
Fulfilled emotional needs are the key to healthy and happy individuals.
By meeting our children's needs & at the same time equipping them to be independent we teach them to develop a stable sense of self.
Different developmental stage – different emotional needs?
Early Childhood - Under 5: Child’s view of self is totally shaped by ‘significant others’(family). Egocentric world view; Generalizing small details. Different comprehension of ‘space’ and ‘time’ concepts.
Mid-Childhood - Primary School: Developing a sense of oneself through Peers. Being a group member is highly important; Boys play games, while girls have ‘best friends’ and ‘secrets’; Bright children may be thinking at a more advanced level than their emotional stage.
Adolescence: Individuality is of high importance; Views may be influenced by peer identity; Sometimes possess ‘black & white’ thinking; Strong relation between parents’ and their own self-esteem.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
The ability to connect with one’s own emotions; express one’s own emotions appropriately; understand and interpret others’ emotions.
Sensitivity to the feelings of others.
Why do we need it?
- Developing individuality & a conscience
- Developing social-conscience & sense of responsibility.
- Developing one’s own standards by which to judge (making decisions without needing rules of external authority figures)
- Dealing with threatening situations
- Understanding that happiness is a personal choice that derives from ‘within’ oneself & that people differ in their needs, fears, desires & preferences
For a ‘Tips Sheet’ on how to develop your child’s EI please contact us.
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