CHILDREN'S EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Interview with Kenneth Lyen
Children with a high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) are more successful in life, says Dr Lyen
Emotional intelligence is as important, if not more so, than IQ, said paediatrician Kenneth Lyen. He said that there are many fields a child is likely to excel in, including:
Abilities with the use of words
Mathematical abilities and pattern recognition
Thinking visually and artistic skills
Music and rhythm skills
Physical abilities
Social skills
Understanding one's innermost thoughts and feelings
It is up to the parent to understand his childs prowess and encourage him. If you observe your child closely, you will know what he is interested in and what he is good at. He focussed on emotional intelligence and said that children with emotional intelligence tend to succeed in life; academic brilliance alone does not guarantee success. Those with high IQ levels may be selected for interviews, but those with a high level of emotional intelligence are most likely to be selected for jobs, said Dr Lyen.
He cites a study on children that was conducted to test how many of them had self-control. The children, taken for the study, were asked to resist having marshmallows that were given to them, they were asked to wait till the tester came in. Those who would wait would get an extra marshmallow. Children who gobbled up the marshmallows were not found to be as successful as those who waited till the tester came in.
How do you know if your child has emotional intelligence? He has a good EQ (emotional quotient) if If your child is very popular If your child has self-control If your child is adaptable and friendly If your child is persistent If your child can empathise You can teach your child how to make friends, overcome failures and succeed in life.
How can you raise your childs EQ?
Encourage him to care for others
Teach him the importance of being honest
Teach him to apologise for his mistakes
Teach him to approach problems optimistically
Praise him for good deeds
Participate in all that he does
Dont be too bossy
Emotional intelligence is more important than IQ levels because IQ cannot be changed, whereas EQ can be enhanced, said Dr Lyen.
