How children become superheroes and what emotional intellect has to do with it?

Emotional intelligence: how to learn to manage your emotions and become the superhero of your life

Have you ever wondered why some people seem like real superheroes, able to solve even the most complex problems in life without breaking a sweat, while others react in panic to every little thing? It's not about mysterious sources of power or special talents; it's... emotional intelligence! This ability is a key tool that helps us understand not only our own feelings but also the emotions of others, react to difficult situations with inner calm, and avoid getting stressed.

So, what is emotional intelligence, and why do we discuss it so much? More importantly, can we learn it like any other skill?

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to perceive, understand, manage, and express one's own emotions and empathise with other people's feelings. Simply put, it's the ability not only to not explode like a firework every time something doesn't go according to plan but also to find ways to understand others—even when they make us roll our eyes.

This skill covers five key areas:

• Self-awareness - the ability to recognize when and why we are "on edge."
• Self-control - knowing how not to explode like microwave popcorn when things get tense.
• Motivation - the willingness to pursue goals, even when you want to give up and go to the nearest café for comfort food.
• Empathy - the ability to feel what the other person is feeling, even if they are sitting in front of us with a "I'm fine" face.
• Social skills include knowing how to survive gatherings well and interact successfully with others.

Example? Let's imagine: you're stuck in a traffic jam and the driver in front of you is in hibernation - you think about hitting the signal, but you take a deep breath, control your anger and think: "Maybe that person is just having a bad day today. That's where emotional intelligence comes in!

The power of emotional intelligence in everyday life

How can emotional intelligence change our daily lives? Here are some of the situations where this skill becomes indispensable:

1. Work: Have you ever had a colleague make a mistake and you felt the urge to "put it out" as a firefighter? Emotional intelligence allows us to take a calmer approach to situations and deal with mistakes constructively. For example, we prefer to talk about what happened and find a solution instead of making a fuss over a wrong report. After all, nobody wants a job change just because they couldn't get along with a colleague.
2. Relationships. They forgot to buy bread again. Can you be angry? Of course you can, but EI helps you realise that such little things are not worth the storm. Instead of creating conflict, we can say, "Well, no bread is healthier!"
3. Social gatherings: Have you been to a party where everyone is talking about work and you want to discuss travel plans? EI helps you to communicate even when the conversation suddenly takes a wrong turn, and to create a pleasant atmosphere even when you want to escape inside.

The importance of developing emotional intelligence from a young age

If emotional intelligence is so important, why don't we start developing it from an early age? After all, children who can recognize and manage their emotions become more emotionally stable and successful.

Imagine you told your child "no" to ice cream. Instead of screaming and collapsing on the supermarket floor, he says: "I'm a little angry, but I understand there will be no ice cream today." Isn't that a miracle? This is the result of developing emotional intelligence.

How is this done?

• Talk about emotions: when a child gets angry, it doesn't mean he is bad - he just doesn't know how to express his feelings properly yet. Help your child to recognise emotions and name them. For example, when a child feels frustrated, you can say: "I can see that you are sad, would you like to talk about it?"
• Show example: Parents are a child's first teachers of emotional intelligence. If you know how to manage your own emotions, your children will naturally adapt your behavior. If, instead of shouting at a driver in a traffic jam, you say, "Well, I guess not everyone is in a hurry today", your children will learn to react calmly in similar situations.
• Encourage empathy: Children often think only of themselves - that's normal, but EI helps them understand the feelings of others. When your child sees a sad friend, talk to them about it: "What do you think your friend is feeling right now? Could we help him?"

For example, if a child feels uncomfortable at a family celebration, help them deal with their emotions instead of insisting that they "behave like everyone else". Let him know that it is normal to feel differently and, most importantly, that he has a voice that matters.

Practical tips for parents: how to raise children's emotional intelligence

Developing a child's emotional intelligence is not difficult, but it requires consistency. Here are some tips:

1. Create an environment where feelings can be talked about: let children express what they feel, whether it's anger, joy or fear. Encourage open dialogue and help them understand that all emotions are normal.
2. Use games: "Emotion cards" for children to identify feelings or books about emotions help children learn through games and fun activities.
3. Creativity: Drawing, writing, and music are great tools for children to express their emotions creatively rather than using words.

Emotional intelligence is the key to a happy and successful life. And no, you don't have to be a superhero to do it. Learning to understand yourself and others is enough, which is the most important super-weapon we need daily!