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detrimental. It could lead to physical
problems such as inflammation in the
body, headaches, eating disorders, drug
and alcohol use, and disruption of
behavior. We can do harm to our lives
by avoiding our feelings,” says Francis,
adding that these actions could also lead
to other things like self-harm and sexual
experimentation.
Because there’s always room to learn,
grow and improve with EQ, Francis
suggests talking with a therapist or school
counselor to get through emotionally
difficult times. “Talk with a safe person
and allow yourself to receive help when
needed,” she says. “Don’t think that you
have to have all the answers.”UP YOUR EQ
What steps can teens and parents take
to improve their emotional intelligence?
Charlotte Reznick, Ph.D.—nationally
recognized child and educational
psychologist, and author of “The Power ofYour Child’s Imagination”—recommends
practicing emotional management,
fostering empathy, and building emotional
self-awareness. These skills will better
their character, both personally and
professionally, and help them be ambitious
about reaching their goals.
Academic intelligence is viewed by
society as more valued due to its benefits,
but emotional intelligence has long-
lasting impact. GreatSchools.org offers
these tips to boost your teen’s emotional
intelligence:
Ask, “What would you do?” Ask your
teen what they would do or do differently
in a particular situation. Taking the time
to have these conversations can make you
think about how to emotionally handle
situations and the best way to respond.
Use real-world situations for teens to
analyze and think about. Every situation,
good or bad, can be a learning moment.
Teach them to recognize emotions.
Use watching movies or reading booksas an opportunity for your
teen to understand why a
character is feeling the way they’re
feeling. This allows them to get
used to the idea of how others are feeling
and why.
Play games. Charades is a wonderful
game for expressing emotions. Body
language and hand movements provide
an outlet for teens to understand how to
solely use emotions to express thought.
Stress that communication is key.
Although it’s hard to open up to people,
no one can read your mind. Explain to
your teen that expressing how you feel is
the best way to get your feelings across to
others.
Don’t assume. Have your teen
consider how someone is feeling in a
tense situation. We all may say things we
don’t mean or react before thinking, but
understanding can help. You can’t be quick
to judge before you understand the other
person.