Written by, Kalpita
8th Jan 2025
Emotionally Intelligent Parenting (EIP) is the silent revolution in parenting that we need to sign up for, as soon as possible! I hear you saying, “But they are so young!” or even, “Let kids be kids”. But an often-overlooked fact is that birth to about 7 years of human development is the prime time for building Emotional Intelligence (EI) in our young children. Allow me to share THREE strong reasons why this age is so vital:
#1 Brain Plasticity at its peak
During the early years, a child's brain is the most flexible, impressionable and forms neural links at a phenomenal rate. This heightened plasticity actually makes it the optimal time for introducing and solidifying EI skills.
Picture This: A 3-year-old girl who learns to label her emotions in an ongoing tantrum might say "I feel angry because I can't have the cookie". This simple expression is literally laying down some extremely complicated connections that will serve her well throughout her life.
#2 Foundation for Life-long Learning
EI skills learned in these formative years make for the basis on which a child's future social and academic life is built. Studies have shown that children who learn to regulate their feelings and empathise with others in preschool are better prepared to deal with the social complexities that wait for them in elementary school and beyond.
Picture This: A 4-year-old boy becoming frustrated with a puzzle and learning to take deep breaths. This simple, underrated technique, practised early in his life, may transform into effective stress management strategies later in life.
#3 Preventing Future Challenges
By focusing early on EI, we have the potential to prevent some future emotional and behavioural challenges. Mental health professionals endorse that children who have developed EI are less likely to be troubled with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues as they mature.
Now, if you still feel you child is too young to start, that’s probably because you don’t know where and how to start. Reach us to explore a simple EI Starter Tool that I like to call ARMED – this tool will equip you take on an Emotionally Intelligent Parenting (EIP) mindset. Its never too late but don’t wait! Join the league!
