Emotional education: 13 very useful strategies in children

Emotional education is key to the present and future well-being of the little ones. In recent decades, a concept has burst into force in the field of Psychology, both in the clinical, occupational, educational and sports fields, is the emotional intelligence.

• Emotional intelligence has proven to have many benefits, as we explain 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 you that you can't always have what you want

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

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

• Related article: "Self-control: 7 psychological tips to improve it"

2. Let him express his emotions

Some adults believe that children are too young to understand certain things. But already in early ages we must trust our children and allow them to express themselves freely, also their emotions. If we give them a space of comfort so that they can trust us with their feelings, 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 for children to grow up with the dialogue skills necessary to become capable of negotiating and reaching agreements with other people. In the adult world, interpersonal relationships are important to achieve mental and emotional well-being.

4. Work empathy

Empathy, that is, putting yourself in the place of the other, is also one of the most important elements of emotional intelligence and therefore must be taught when children are young. This is also important to ensure that the previous point is carried out, because that way they will be able to agree and agree democratically. Empathy is the key to letting them put their egocentricity aside.

5. Teach him to be self-motivated

Self-motivation is also essential in emotional intelligence, but it is frequent that many people, in the face of failures, become pessimistic. Make him understand that failures are opportunities to grow and stimulating them in this sense at an early age is essential for them to become optimistic people.

6. Use the example

Sometimes it is easy to tell others what to do, but especially when 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 that we must not forget. This is another of the practical keys of emotional education.

7. That they learn active listening

Hearing is not the same as hearing. We can hear what someone is saying to us but be thinking about our turn of conversation without the other interlocutor has finished his, or we can listen with the five senses, that is, listen actively. When someone communicates with us he not only expresses what he says in words, but also speaks his non-verbal language and his 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 him examples to solve his problems

Developing the ability to solve problems 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 give children examples, it is easier for them to learn to manage their emotions and the conflicts that surround them.

9. Emotional self-awareness

The first step in becoming an emotionally intelligent person is know your own emotions and label them. To do this, it is possible to perform different exercises, such as the emotional diary. In which they can write 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, for their part, can read some of the books that appear in the list 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 entertaining and at the same time formative.

Recommended article: "15 Movies About Emotional Intelligence You Should See”

12. Praise him and highlight the positive aspects of his learning

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

13. Training

Many experts consider that emotional education should be compulsory in educational centers, since 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 educate the little ones emotionally, in our article “8 activities to work on emotionsYou can find a great selection of exercises.