Many parents think that the most important for a child is to succeed academically, graduate from university and find a job in a specialty field. But the question here is whether you want your child to be successful or happy.

For a child to have a good life, they need to develop emotional intelligence. A person who is able to distinguish emotions and control them will definitely have a successful career and a happy life. Isn’t that what you want for them?

How to improve a child’s mental health and emotional state

1. Teach them the “language of emotions”

In fact, there are a lot more emotions than just joy, sadness, fear, hurt, envy and curiosity. Teach your child to differentiate and try to explain them.

2. Put yourself in their shoes

If you put yourself in your child’s place before shouting at them or lecturing, it will increase the level of trust between you. 

3. Change yourself

Children are our mirrors. Don’t pass your neurosis to them. Break this vicious cycle and start listening to your feelings.

4. Encourage their creativity

Notice what your child is keen on, and help them move in that direction. Let them express themselves through music, dance or even just games.

5. Pay attention to their behaviour

Children often show their feelings through behaviour instead of words. If your child often gets in trouble, they might need help solving some issue or simply support. Teach your little one to tell you how they feel.

Games which help to develop a child’s emotional intelligence

1. Happy box

Put things that represent your visual associations with happiness (in terms of the five senses) into your “happy box.” Now create the same box with your child. While doing so, discuss emotions. For instance:

• Sight: an animal playing;
• Hearing: birds chirping;
• Taste: sweet cake;
• Smell: the smell of asphalt after a summer rain;
• Touch: hugs.

2. Silent bell

Here the name of the game is not to break the silence. Have everyone sit down forming a tight circle and pass a bell to each other, ensuring the bell does not ring. First, pass the bell to your neighbor, and then to someone sitting further away from you, getting up and going to them if need be. 

It is a game you can play even with two people. Show your child how to do it – carefully and quietly. However, if your child wants to listen to the bell ring, let him or her do so.