Nurturing Emotional Intelligence in Children

Dear readers,

As someone who’s been around children of all ages—whether parenting, mentoring, teaching, or just being the “go-to” person in the family—I’ve come to believe that one of the most powerful gifts we can give our kids isn’t found in a textbook or a toy aisle. It’s emotional intelligence.

And before you roll your eyes at the phrase (because yes, it’s everywhere), I want to pause and break it down in a way that makes it less clinical and more real life. Emotional intelligence is simply the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions—our own and others’. It’s being aware of how we feel, why we feel that way, and knowing how to navigate those emotions in a healthy way. And let me tell you: