What We Do
We pioneer a method to develop children’s social and emotional skills by teaching children emotional literacy, emotional regulation and emotional intelligence. Our Emotional Development Toolkit contains resources that build confidence, courage, gratitude and a positive mindset. Our unique method of Renew The Mind teaches children to process unpleasant thoughts and feelings with uplifting wisdom. We empower parents, educators, teachers and professionals to support children’s emotional development and well-being.
Connection and Communication
Emotion Regulation in Children
Strengthen Parent-Child Bond
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence (EI) is a form of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor our own emotions, as well as those of others, and subsequently use that information to guide our thinking and actions. It allows us to express our emotions, to form and maintain relationships with people around us. The terms Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) are frequently used interchangeably, but they are not the same. EQ, like intelligence quotient (IQ), is a measure of our ability to understand and apply our emotions, that is, how well we manage the positive and negative effects of our emotions to facilitate our thoughts, communication, and behaviour.
- Emotional Literacy
- Emotional Regulation
- Emotional Intelligence for kids
Why Is This Important?
Emotional development starts at a young age and is influenced by a number of factors. It occurs concurrently as the development of other skills such as gross motor, fine motor, social and language skills. Yet, we do not seem to focus enough on the emotional development of children. This is in part due to the lack of awareness or knowledge of what Emotional Intelligence is, or how to do it.
Social and Emotional Skills
The foundations of social competence formed in the first five years of life are linked to the child’s emotional well-being, and affect the child’s later ability to functionally adapt in school and to form successful relationships throughout life. These foundations are necessary for development of long-lasting friendships, intimate relationships and effective parenting. It allows a person to be a contributing member of the community. Ignoring this aspect of a child’s development can have negative consequences for the child’s growth and development. Emotions that are well regulated can support executive functions and thinking. Conversely, poorly regulated emotions negatively impact attention and decision making.
For some children, the preschool years mark the beginning of long-term emotional difficulties and mental-health problems. The emotional health of young children, or the absence of it, is closely related to their environments in which they live, which include not only their parents but also their broader families, friends they play with, and other people they interact with. The cognitive and literacy skills we teach our children must be balanced with emotional and social development. As the capacity of understanding and regulation of emotional intelligence increases, happiness also increases.
Behavioural Signals
When children have big emotions, the emotions can cause children to display behavioral signals, such as emotional distress. Children with behavioural signals tell us that the child is going through unpleasant emotions.
Does your child have these behaviours?
- hitting
- pushing
- withdrawn
- school refusal
- attitude
- behaviour changes
- tantrums
- talking repeatedly about an event
- bed-wetting
- learning problems
These behaviours may indicate that a child is experiencing overwhelming emotions and lacks the skills to manage them. Simply telling a child to stop these behaviours can be ineffective if the underlying emotions and thoughts are not addressed. Parents can play a crucial role by co-regulating with their child and teaching essential emotional development skills from the Emotional Development Toolkit.
How does the Emotional Development Toolkit work?
Our approach centers on addressing the root causes of behavioural signals by equipping adults with the tools to teach Emotional Literacy, Emotional Regulation, and Emotional Intelligence.
Emotional Literacy
Teach a wide range of emotions
The Emotional Skills Toolkit introduces 32 emotions, providing a comprehensive foundation for emotional literacy. The posters help children learn about emotions visually and are designed to engage young children from 2 years old onwards. They are easily accessible when displayed on the wall, for ease of use during emotional moments.
Gratitude
Children learn to understand positive feelings and develop thankfulness.
Identify and name emotions
The Emotional Development Toolkit helps children identify and name various emotions. By acknowledging their emotions, children can diffuse unpleasant feelings and gain the time needed to process and regulate them.
Teach children to express their emotions verbally
Children can learn to express themselves verbally to solve problems and reduce physical behavioral actions. This also helps them share their feelings with other people and develop good communication skills.
Emotional Regulation
Bulling
The Emotional Skills Toolkit teaches children empathy, how to respond best to people, and how to overcome bullying tendencies. By learning how other people feel, children begin to understand how their actions can affect other people.
Breaking the cycle of bad attitude
We have developed a co-regulation activity inspired by a leading brain scientist, Dr Caroline Leaf’s recommended approach to breaking the cycle of negative attitudes. This method is both uplifting and fosters stronger parent-child bonding.
Big emotions
The Positive Mindset Kids Journal helps children learn the art of journaling to decompress emotions and allow time to regulate their emotions. The journal also helps develop confidence, courage, gratitude, and a positive mindset. It has been designed to complement the Emotional Skills Toolkit and help children process thoughts and feelings with uplifting wisdom.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotion coaching
We have chosen to employ a well-researched method of emotion coaching to empower adults to process thoughts and emotions with children. Emotion coaching parenting increases emotional intelligence in children, including self-awareness, self-regulation, awareness of other people and relationship management.
Uplifting wisdom
In addition to emotion coaching, the Emotional Development Toolkit includes 'uplifting wisdom'—a collection of cherished insights that guide both adults and children. These golden nuggets of wisdom are rooted in values such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control. By embracing these principles, children can develop emotional intelligence while cultivating these characteristics.
Written by Paediatrician
Our Paediatrician Collection, authored by a pediatrician, offers uplifting wisdom and thought-provoking questions designed to help parents connect with their children. These prompts encourage reflection on good values, foster a deeper understanding of these insights, and support the development of a positive mindset
By developing emotional literacy, emotional regulation and emotional intelligence, children can communicate their emotions, empathize with other people’s feelings and have less conflict. These vital skills will equip them to navigate social and emotional challenges, setting the stage for a thriving adult life.
Parents often wonder, “If I could do one thing for my child that would make a difference both now and in the future, what would it be? The answer, found after decades of research, is simply to build the child’s emotional intelligence. This means helping the child understand their emotions by recognising what they are feeling and why. To do this well, parents need to teach their kids to manage feelings in a positive way so that they can eventually regulate their own behaviour. As children mature, this ability to regulate emotions helps them navigate social relationships, maximise intellectual success, and develop confidence. That’s the key: to provide a child with skills that set him or her up for positive social and emotional development both in childhood and beyond.
– The Gottman Institute
- Emotional Literacy
- Emotional Regulation
- Emotional Intelligence for kids
Emotional Development Program
Parents, educators, teachers, carers and professionals can equip children to be emotionally intelligent and flourish into their adult lives. Encourage your friends, family and schools to teach children emotional literacy, emotional regulation and emotional intelligence through our range of products at Kids Emotional Intelligence.