These days, many parents are realizing the importance of developing their child's EQ just as much as their IQ. No longer are smarts measured by the ability to spell, add, subtract, or spout trivia, it has taken on a more holistic meaning. For a child to grow into her most brilliant self, she should also learn social and emotional intelligence.
Developmental psychologist Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and professor Roberta Golinkoff from the University of Delaware, co-authors of Becoming Brilliant: What Science Tells Us About Raising Successful Children, encourages parents to observe their kids closely in these following areas, in this order.
Collaboration
This important social skill should not only be honed in the classroom, but also in the home. It teaches kids to form friendships, work well with others, and to contribute in creative ways.
It also establishes their basic concepts of conflict resolution and problem solving.
Communication
This includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Honing these important skills will help kids be more successful later on in life.
Content
"You can’t learn anything if you haven’t learned how to understand language, or to read," Hirsh-Pasek explained to NPR. It doesn't need to be emphasized that parents should really pay close attention to the TV, movies, books, and media they consume daily are conducive to fostering intelligence and growth.
Critical thinking
What kids learn to do with content they acquire falls under critical thinking. According to Parenting Science, some ways teachers and parents can nurture this is by teachings kids the concepts of rational and scientific thinking. This involves testing hypotheses, making analogies, creative problem solving, categorizing concepts, and make scientific connections.
Creative innovation
The next step, according to Hirsh-Pasek and Golinkoff is creative innovation because kids "need to know something well enough to make something new." This is a by-product of learning how to think critically; it is the execution of learned concepts and creativity.
Confidence
Kids need to learn to be bold while making smart choices, or what are called "safe risks." Once they feel encouraged and empowered by the aforementioned five steps or focus areas, confidence often comes more easily and naturally.
Do you have any focus areas to add to this theory based on experience, moms and dads? Let us know in the comments below!
READ: 5 Tips for raising smart and emotionally stable kids
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