--- title: 6 tips for helping your child build emotional intelligence description: Emotional intelligence is a helpful skill for kids with learning and thinking differences. Get tips on how to develop your child’s emotional intelligence. slug: 6-tips-for-helping-your-child-build-emotional-intelligence author: The Understood Team reviewer: Donna Volpitta, EdD published: '2019-10-16T12:23:50.974Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/F3B700918B124661B4CCCBC86867C685/44e948618a7481f1b96f25c30e9176d4/200454612-001.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-tips-for-helping-your-child-build-emotional-intelligence lang: en --- # 6 tips for helping your child build emotional intelligence [Emotional intelligence](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-importance-of-emotional-intelligence-for-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences) (EI) allows kids to act on feelings in an effective way. This key ability can help kids who learn and think differently work through their challenges. Learn ways to help your child build EI. ## 1. Help your child be aware of emotions. Encourage your child to talk about the feelings that come with challenges like these. Have your child name the emotion (“angry,” “sad,” “jealous”). Then ask, “Why do you feel this way?”  You can do the same when your child has a positive experience. If your child remembers to hand every homework assignment one week, for example, ask, “How does this make you feel? Why?” ## 2. Practice reading emotions in others. [Watching TV](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/video-watching-tv-to-improve-social-skills) can be a great way to practice this. Turn off the sound and, with your child, try to guess how characters are feeling. Talk about how [body language](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/at-a-glance-helping-your-child-understand-body-language) and [facial expressions](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/helping-your-child-learn-to-read-facial-expressions) can be clues. ## 3. Reflect on how your child has reacted in the past. Take time to look back at specific situations and talk about how your child has responded. Offer [helpful praise](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/how-to-give-praise-that-builds-your-childs-self-esteem) if your child reacted in a constructive way. For example, maybe your child was feeling frustrated with math homework and asked you for help. If you got a not-so-helpful reaction —like your child throwing the math book on the floor — talk about what other reactions might have been possible. ## 4. Come up with new strategies. Use tough situations as learning opportunities. Talk about what your child can do when she’s feeling a certain way or facing a challenge. For example, instead of yelling at a sibling, what could your child do when someone else in the house plays music too loud? ## 5. Find ways to help others. Working together to take care of people can help your child build empathy. Join a volunteer effort. Or have your child come with you to deliver a care package to a sick relative or friend.  You could even consider getting a pet. Having to walk a dog on cold or rainy days can help serve as a reminder to your child that their needs may not always come first. ## 6. Explore options at school and elsewhere. There may be a school program that could help your child build emotional skills. Find out if they have a social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. Or maybe they have a “lunch buddy” program your child could join. You could also look into the option of getting [outside emotional help](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/mental-health-treatment). Going to therapy can help kids learn how to identify — and regulate — their emotions. Some therapists also offer [social skills groups](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/faqs-about-social-skills-groups). --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [5 factors of emotional intelligence](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/at-a-glance-5-factors-of-emotional-intelligence) - Emotional intelligence is being aware of emotions and being able to express and use them in productive ways. Its key to your child thriving in school and in life. Here are five factors that make up emotional intelligence. Self-awareness - What it is: Your child can answer the question, How do I fe - [9 ways to show empathy when your child is struggling](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/9-ways-to-show-empathy-when-your-child-is-struggling) - When your child misbehaves or struggles in school, its not always easy to be empathetic. But showing that you understand and respect your childs needs can help build motivationand self-esteem. It also builds trust between the two of you. Here are nine ways to respond with empathy when your child is - [Emotional intelligence: What it means for kids](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-importance-of-emotional-intelligence-for-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences) - - Emotional intelligence is the ability to be smart about emotions. - It can help kids with learning and thinking differences manage their challenges. - There are things you can do to develop your childs emotional intelligence. Consider this scenario: Samuel is struggling with his math homewor --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-tips-for-helping-your-child-build-emotional-intelligence#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-tips-for-helping-your-child-build-emotional-intelligence","description":"Emotional intelligence is a helpful skill for kids with learning and thinking differences. Get tips on how to develop your child’s emotional intelligence."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-tips-for-helping-your-child-build-emotional-intelligence","name":"6 tips for helping your child build emotional intelligence"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-10-16T12:23:50.974Z","description":"Emotional intelligence is a helpful skill for kids with learning and thinking differences. Get tips on how to develop your child’s emotional intelligence.","headline":"6 tips for helping your child build emotional intelligence","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-tips-for-helping-your-child-build-emotional-intelligence","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}] ```