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Paving the way for my child’s better emotional development

EQ or Emotional Quotient refers to a person’s ability to understand his/her emotion along with the other person’s emotions, whereas IQ stands for Intelligence Quotient which indicates a person’s intelligence level.

IQ: A number that indicates a person’s reasoning or logical ability in comparison to the statistical norm.

EQ: implies the level of a person’s emotional intelligence. 

Well, if you thought that’s how boring the article is going to be, let me tell you that’s not going to be the case. After all, these two abilities largely define the success of individuals and are quite interesting. I understand how my daughter is at an age when she is experiencing rapid physical and emotional growth.

I felt like writing about this as two of my colleagues were recently discussing what their children are good at. One is doing extraordinarily well in studies while the other is doing marvelously well in extracurricular activities. Now as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. Both wanted their child to be like the other.

So, could this be done? Is there some magic? Some mantra? Probably a trick rolled up in someone’s sleeve? Can someone develop this? Just that perfect recipe?

It’s all about different patterns of development. The first child has more intelligence quotient whereas the other has a greater emotional quotient. Just in case you missed the definitions, you could scroll up.

To understand what it means for my child, I decided to take a closer look.

Enfagrow - Emotional Development

What’s more important?

We often talk or read about IQ, but EQ is something that is not usually talked about. But something that is neglected often turns out to be important. Remember the chapter you neglected while giving an exam and that was the most important chapter ever? That’s what it is all about.

Actually, we as parents can help develop emotional intelligence from a very young age, as young as from 2 years of age. I was quite surprised to know that. This is something that I observed with my daughter as well. And it made me curious about starting early with emotional development and taking the right steps at every point.

The mantra of Emotional Development

  • Conversations:

My daughter has surprised me from the time she was born. Starting from the point when she could only cry, she has progressively gotten better at communicating her needs and socializing. I had no idea about how good she could get at mimicking the people she came across. Her babbling slowly changed into meaningful words and then she could have simple conversations. It’s all a fascinating process. Her mimicking skills also made me realize how I had to watch what I said around her.

  • Activities:

Every parent remembers the moment their kid starts to crawl and then take the first step. When my daughter started finding her own way around the house, it was quite a moment for me. Over the period of time, I learned how kids become capable of sorting toys by type, size, and color. Apparently, after completing two years of age, it is the perfect time to get them to do new things and indulge in activities that will help them achieve cognitive milestones.

  • Nutrition:

Just like every other parent, I have paid special attention to my daughter’s diet. I have read a lot about how this is a crucial component of developing the emotional quotient of a child. I understand that her pickiness to eat certain foods shouldn’t get in the way of her getting the nutrients she needs. The right kind of nutrition is linked with communication, problem-solving and cognitive abilities in children which are closely linked with emotional intelligence. One of the most important nutrients is Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid that acts as a building block of the brain during initial years.

More about DHA

Our body derives DHA from select food sources.

Some of them are as follows:

  1. OILY FISH such as salmon, tuna, sardines
  2. VEGETABLE OILS such as flaxseed, soy, canola
  3. OTHER SOURCES such as chicken, eggs

Of Emotional Quotient, DHA & Enfagrow A+

Enfagrow - Emotional DevelopmentClinical studies have shown that young children who received expert-recommended levels of DHA showed superior brain development in terms of:

  • Problem-solving,
  • Visual acuity,
  • Verbal intelligence, and
  • IQ

This was in comparison to those young children who did not get any. I researched a bit more and found that a regular diet might not be sufficient to give my child expert recommended levels of DHA. That’s when I came across Enfagrow A+, a fortified food. I have also been giving my child a daily dose of Enfagrow A+ with a glass of milk to ensure healthy growth. I have also understood the importance of keeping track of my child’s growth.

You can buy Enfagrow A+ here!

Is my child’s growth on track?

As parents, there are certain development milestones we notice about our children, be it babbling or walking. Though every child grows at a different pace, you can keep track of certain milestones in emotional development with some observations as described below. I have been following this for my daughter as well.

Age PeriodRegulation/CopingExpressive BehaviorRelationship Building
Infancy:
0 to 12 mos.
Infant is self-soothing and learning to modulate reactivity.

In service of coordinated action, Regulation of attention is required.

During stressful circumstances, the infant relies on caregivers for supportive “scaffolding”.

In some expressive channels, behavior synchrony with others.

Discrimination increases in others’ expressions.

Expressive responsiveness to stimuli under contingent control increases.

Coordination of expressive behaviors with emotion-eliciting circumstances increases as well.

“Peek-a-boo” and other such social games.

Social referencing is another way to increase relationship building.

Infants could even fake crying if they feel they aren’t getting the necessary attention.

Toddlerhood:
12 mos.to 2½ years
Self-awareness and consciousness of emotional response comes to light.

Irritation might occur due to constraints and limits imposed on expanding autonomy and exploration needs.

After self-evaluation and self-consciousness evident in expressive behavior accompanying of shame, pride, coyness is common.

Verbal comprehension and production of words for expressive behavior and affective states increases.

Tries to Anticipate different feelings towards different people.

Discrimination of others’ emotions and their meaningfulness is significant.

The emergence of empathy and prosocial action.

Preschool:
2 to 5 years
Symbols can provoke distress, but Symbolic access facilitates emotion regulation.

Child’s evaluation of and awareness of own feelings and of emotion-eliciting events extends with communication.

While playing and teasing adoption of pretending expressive behavior could be used.

Facial expressions could be false, and this could mislead parents. This is known as pragmatic awareness.

Child’s understanding of social transactions and expectations for comportment could be elaborated through communication with others.

Behavior towards peers or friends could be sympathetic and pro social.

Increasing insight into others’ emotions.

Early Elementary School: to 7 yearsSelf-conscious emotions (e.g., embarrassment) are targeted for regulation.

 

Prominent coping strategy still prevalent which is through seeking support from caregivers but reliance on situational problem-solving increases and is evident as well.

Adoption of “cool emotional front” with peers.Coordination of social skills with one’s own and others’ emotions is significant.

Early understanding of consensually agreed upon emotion “scripts.”

 

This self-explanatory chart can help you understand the different levels of your child’s emotional development.

Aiding emotional development:

A child’s development into successful adulthood shapes up just like the way a pot comes into being with the perfect mixture of clay, sponge, water and the potter’s touch. In case of a child’s development, nutrition, the affection of parents and care all come together. As your child deserves the best, you can educate yourself more about emotional development and take steps in the right direction.

Author

Snehalata Jain, Mother, Lifestyle blogger, Traveler, Foodie and has a knack of parental advice. She loves to travel with her family and especially her daughter angel so that she can teach her kid the real life experience. A Micro Biologist and lecturer by profession, a full time mother and blogger by choice. She is a social media pro since 2012 handling over 100 profiles till now. Stepping to blog was her decision when she realized that whatever you do or experience, documentation makes it authentic. She loves photography and traveling and creating unique recipes which are healthy and tasty. She writes what she experience during her trips. About Blogsikka : It was just a quick decision to make my lifestyle blog , while searching for blog name. I wanted a name which is not related to specific things as my life is so dynamic that I can’t stick to one thing. I love travelling and eat delicacies from around the world. My love doesn’t stop here , infact I love to cook delicious thing which I see during my trips and replicate at home. Blogsikka is all about my own experiences of life and i write whatever i experience. And my backbone support is my husband DILKHUSH SHAH who is chartered accountant by profession and a hard core traveler by passion. He is the reason behind my all trips. DO FOLLOW MY BLOG : https://blogsikka.com and my all social media tabs

42 Comments

  1. With the rat race that life has become today, the stresses and tensions take its toll. Under these circumstances, it is imperative to be emotionally strong. A foundation for strong EQ needs to be laid when the kids are young.

  2. We all want our children to become leaders. Emotional intelligence is that something in each of us that is a bit intangible, it affects how we manage behavior, navigate social complexities and make personal decisions that achieve positive results

  3. Noor Anand Chawla Reply

    Thank you for this incredibly informative post. Each aspect of children’s growth must be looked into by the parents. Your comprehensive list is much appreciated.

  4. To me EQ is more important than IQ. Kids have to learn to become mentally and emotionally strong to take up the challenges life throws.

  5. This is a great post piece of information, EQ is really important for young kids,and a well nutritous diet or supllements like Enfagrow can really help

  6. Nutrition definitely plays a great role in EQ of a child like other areas. It’s of utmost important to ensure that our child is getting proper nutrition for his overall development.

  7. Often we ignore the EQ developmental factors in children and concentrate more on the IQ part. It is great to find such a vividly elaborate article on it.

  8. Naseer Shaikh Reply

    Wow! What a comprehensive list of useful information.I truly believe EQ is equivalently important like IQ.Nutrition play a great role in achieving this.Beautiful write-up.

  9. That’s a comprehensive list for the child’s emotional developmental stages and signs. Enfagrow A+ looks like a good solution for DHA

  10. Alexx bloom Reply

    Emmotionally are key to everything that child want to do, how they will do Preety much everything. Some activities I try with them to make them Emmotionally stable

  11. This is a very interesting read. I didn’t realize it starts from the age of 2! That’s something. Good to know of a product which will ensure their development.

  12. Anita Singh Reply

    Bahut acchi post hai, sach me hume IQ k sath EQ bhi devlop karna chaiye 👍👍

  13. I got aware about emotional quotient when my hubby gave me a book about it. This is a well researched post that sheds light over it.

  14. I knew about IQ but seriously I had no idea about EQ, so thanks for explaining it in this way. Its really good to know about the real time experience of yours. Enfagrow is an amazing health drink.

  15. For us EQ and IQ both are essential. Proper diet and environment boost EQ. This is informative post. Hope many parents come across this

  16. EQ has as importance in the child’s overall growth as IQ, the emotional connect and feelings are very much in tandem with emotional growth. Enfagrow is a wonderful health supplement for children.

  17. This is a pretty informative post on kids’ emotional development. Something which is quite ignored subconsciously by parents since generations in the rat race for academic perfection.

  18. Radhikka Karkare Reply

    Love this post. Its so well explained and very expressed. Thanks for sharing this valuable info

  19. Very informative post Snehalata.
    Being a moment of twin preschoolers I feel lost sometimes how to handle all the new emotions they are acknowledging everyday
    I think I should be lil more considerate to them

  20. Thanks for sharing this with me, I feel yes EQ is really important as when your child is emotionally strong then they can do everything in life with confidence

  21. Intelligence is of no use if not balances with Emotional intelligence. I totally agree. For making our kids future leaders & successful humans, they need to develop a good balance between brain & heart & think in a balanced way! Very informative post!

  22. Aparna Sant Reply

    Must say this is the most informative post.every children’s growth should be looked into by the parents.

  23. That was such a comprehensive post and I got to learn so much here.
    Thanks for the informative read.

  24. That was. Great post dear, you have described the major and important side and thats emotional intelligence.highly needed post.thanks for that.keep writing more of such kind.

  25. Ruchi Verma Reply

    Giving kids right nutrition is important but apart from that pointers which you shared is really worth and must be noted by all parents

  26. Emotional development is very important in kids.. As a parent we must understand make their EQ strong n not IQ strong. Enfagrow is best for EQ .

  27. True said dear.. Growth is very important in nutritious way.

    I too remember my childhood days when mom used to give me suppliments for extra good growth.

    This brand i am using for my son and its very nice.

  28. Nutrition plays a great role in all k8nd of development of a child and emotional quotient definitely needs a kid to have a balanced diet. Glad that we have such supplements available now.

  29. EQ is very important for a child and it’s high time parents understand it. It helps in the overall development of the child.

  30. Nurturing a child’s emotional quotient is as important as developing the intelligence quotient. Great tips there. Will keep these points in mind.

  31. Making kids emotionally strong is very important. While the everyday practises are important, nutrition also plays a great role here.

  32. The fact that EQ has been considered to be an important thing to take care of in the kid’s overall development is a very good news.

  33. I didn’t knew DHA has such amazing benefits, loved the blog was damn insightful and helpful too, thank you for sharing the same

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