According to the latest research from the American Psychological Association, “Students with higher emotional intelligence tend to gain higher grades and achievement test scores.” Emotional intelligence has recently been discovered to have a big impact on students’ academic and overall success later on in life. While teachers are beginning to teach emotional intelligence explicitly in classrooms, it is not uniformly implemented across the nation, with many teachers referring to it as part of the “hidden curriculum.”
Parents who want to set their children up for success in every facet of life must evaluate their children’s emotional intelligence. Is your child able to regulate and express their emotions in a healthy way? Do they express empathy and communicate nonverbally? Do they show emotional resilience– can they bounce back after a frustrating or emotional setback?
If you think your child needs extra help growing their emotional intelligence skills, consider signing them up for one of these after school activities.
Yoga & Martial Arts
Many kids play a sport because they enjoy the physical activity and time spent with their friends. Little do they know that their favorite sport is also teaching them emotional intelligence. As they work with their team to win a game, they have to be able to connect with different personalities and communicate nonverbally, both of which are key foundations to emotional intelligence.
Children who compete in sports must also regulate their emotions so they can stay focused on the game, despite setbacks like missing a goal or losing a game altogether. Many sports combine aspects of mindfulness and physical activity, like yoga and martial arts. Sports that emphasize mindfulness don’t just teach kids how to connect with others, it also teaches kids to connect with their inner emotions and practice self-regulation.
Volunteering
It’s never too early for your child to start volunteering! Volunteering is, at heart, an emotional endeavor. Volunteers often have to step out of their comfort zone and interact with people from all backgrounds. This exercise builds empathy with others who may not have had the same lived experiences as your child.
While it’s not a team sport, volunteering does require teamwork. Your child will have to figure out how to work with a group while cleaning a park or building a new wheelchair ramp, for example. Being able to communicate with different personalities will take them far in life.
Volunteering gets kids to step outside of their bubble and learn to understand what others have been through. As kids learn to better understand the emotions of other people, as well as the impact they can have on others, you may notice increased empathy towards those less fortunate or an increased concern for how their actions impact the environment.
Speech & Debate Club
Debate combines the benefits of public speaking, with teamwork and social connection between students. Students who join their school’s speech and debate team must be able to self-regulate their emotions in high-pressure situations. For example, when a debate is not going the way your child had hoped, they must be able to stay calm and stay focused on how they can change their argument to win the debate. Speech and debate also requires your child to be able to work collaboratively with the rest of their team. By working with other students, your child can learn how to see others’ perspectives, handle conflict, and communicate effectively.
Emotional Intelligence: The Quality of a Leader
Developing these social skills sets your child up for a lifetime of success as a leader. According to the Harvard Business School, emotional intelligence is one of the most sought after interpersonal skills in the workplace. Help your child grow their emotional intelligence now, so they can procure sought-after promotions later on in life.
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