At Daisy Montessori School in Bangalore, we follow a teaching approach which helps children understand and manage their feelings with the same concern given to fundamental skills like counting or the alphabet. This is what emotional intelligence is all about; the ability to recognize, comprehend, and control emotions.
Children who are taught about emotional intelligence from an early age become more confident, compassionate, and composed as they grow older. It also assists them in building better interpersonal relations and facilitates smoother problem-solving.
Here are 5 ways to help preschoolers cultivate emotional intelligence:
1. Encourage Them to Identify Their Feelings
Identifying feelings comes after being able to name different feelings. Assist the child or student to identify what they are feeling. One can use very basic words such as:
• Happy
• Sad
• Angry
• Scared
• Excited
Example:
Instead of saying “stop crying,” try rephrasing to something like, “Are you sad because your toy broke?”
2. Be a Role Model
From my experience, watching adult figures often influences younger children’s behavior the most. When you begin to calm down and regulate your feelings, they will mirror what you do.
In Daisy Montessori, our teachers use soft, calm voices and model appropriate problem solving without yelling. This makes children feel safe while learning important emotional skills.
Tip:
If you feel upset, remember to say, “I’m feeling a little tired. I think I’m going to take a deep breath.” That way, you’re modeling healthy self-regulation.
3. Encourage Empathy
We all feel different emotions at one point or another in our lifetime. You can assist preschoolers in developing empathy by explaining how other people feel in different scenarios.
Pose questions like:
• “How do you think your friend felt when you shared your toy?”
• “What can we do to make your friend feel better?”
4. Create a Safe Space for Emotions
These days, children need to understand that every emotion is valid. Whether they’re feeling happy, sad, or anything else in between, they should feel comfortable expressing how they feel.
At Daisy Montessori, we listen without judgment and are gentle in our guidance.
You can also try this at home:
When your kid looks sad, try sitting next to them, giving them a hug, and saying, “It’s okay. Do you want to share what happened to me?”
5. Use Stories and Games
Storytelling and playing games is one of the best methods to help kids develop emotional intelligence. Select a few storybooks with phrases expressing a variety of emotions. Ask your child what they think the character is feeling and what made them feel that way.
Conclusion
Its takes some time for preschoolers to learn how to use emotional intelligence, but I assure you, the outcome is rewarding. With a little patience, care, and basic techniques, children are taught how to better understand themselves and the world around them.
We at Daisy Montessori School in Bangalore have shifted our focus from academics to emotional intelligence. With the help of our friendly teachers, engaging activities, and a calm atmosphere, we help children grow into confident happy learners.
If you need a preschool in Bangalore which gives importance to your child’s growth and development, we invite you to visit Daisy Montessori School. Let’s work together to enhance the emotional development of your child.
