Emotional intelligence games for children

At ourprivate school in Almeria, we believe thatDeveloping emotional skills from childhood will be key for adult life. In this sense,emotional intelligence games for childrenare the best training, so that the little ones can test their abilities and express their feelings correctly.

Both in the classroom and at home, it is possible to develop emotional intelligence games for children.These types of activities prepare them for real situations, in which they will have to interpret other people’s emotions and express their own.

What is emotional intelligence?

Intelligence is not only a field linked to knowledge, it is also the personal capacity to manage in situations related to reality. Emotional intelligence comes from the field of multiple intelligences, in the specific case of emotions, it is the innate and learned skills that have to do with the management of feelings.

Emotions can be perceived in other people, they are personally interpreted and expressed, these are the three levels that complete emotional intelligence, therefore, a person who reaches adulthood should be able to develop these three phases depending on each particular situation.

In the specific case ofemotional intelligencein children, it is during this phase when the concepts and emotional reactions are assimilated, therefore,the infant, primary and secondary courses should serve as a process in which the child learns to evaluate both their own emotions and those of others.

The advantages of learning through emotional intelligence games

• Emotional games allow them toimprove self-knowledgeand decision making.
• It avoids stressand harmful emotions during childhood.
• They serve as preparation foremotional decision makingduring adulthood.
• Improves interpersonal skills.
• Promotespersonal developmentin different areas.
• It favorsleadership and personal confidence.
• Emotional gamesincrease motivation.

The best emotional intelligence games for children

These are some activities that encourage children’s emotional abilities through games. 

Stories about emotions

Reading stories that include emotions in the plot is an excellent activity to learn through other people’s emotions. It is important that in this type of activity there is a dialogue, so the child listens to the narration but must also give his or her opinion, identify feelings and establish solutions about his or her reaction in a similar situation. 

This activity can be carried out in a group in the classroom or individually at home. 

Drawing emotions

In this activity, the child has absolute freedom to create a drawing, but it must be related to an emotional theme. Drawing a sad face, a happy landscape or a situation of surprise helps us to know how he or she interprets his or her emotions, and what these concepts suggest.

The goal is for him to be able to understand abstract ideas and translate them into a concrete activity, such as a drawing. 

Emotional domino

In this game there are two types of cards, in one we establish concrete situations, for example “it is your birthday and you receive a present”, or “you are waiting to go out to play and it starts to rain”, in the other group of cards we write sensations that they will have to relate to the previous situations.  

What we get is that they begin to handle the vocabulary of emotions, and relate these concepts to specific situations. 

Emotional Mimicry

This game is based on representing a series of proposed emotions. What we are looking for is that the child acts according to each situation, in addition, if you do not know the meaning of any of the concepts you can ask and clarify its definition. 

Emotional mime also allows the child to practice the degrees of emotions, we can be more or less angry, more or less surprised, etc. 

Emotional diary

Emotional diaries are records in which we focus on emotions. Contrary to what happens with traditional diaries, on this occasion the day-to-day events are not as important as the emotions that we have felt throughout the day. 

What we get them to do is to reflect on their emotions and feelings on a daily basis. 

Relaxation 

Relaxing activities are also closely related to emotional intelligence. Emotional management processes are not only based on learning, we must also encourage positive emotional states. Through relaxation, we get them to enjoy a moment of quietness, in which relaxed sensations prevail. 

Empathy game

A very effective empathy game is based on answering questions as if we were someone else. If played in pairs, each participant must answer questions as if he or she were the other participant. 

The objective is to encourage empathy through an activity in which you really see reality from the eyes of another person.

How was your day?

More than a game, it should be a routine that we should not forget on a daily basis. Asking how was your day, how did you spend it or what is the most important thing you have done today, will allow him to express himself, insisting daily on those emotions that have influenced him the most. 

My virtues

The game of virtues allows them to identify the qualities of each person, reinforcing their self-esteem. A simple game is based on writing virtues that begin with each of the letters of his or her name, in this way PAUL would be patient, attentive, understanding  and loyal, and SARA would be sincere, adventurous, responsible and amused.

Reinforcing emotions in the classroom

At The British School of Almeria we develop a comprehensive educational program, in which we place special emphasis on the emotional aspect of the student. Emotional intelligence games for children are part of the education that our students receive, with a view to their personal emotional development. We want each of our students to be able to generate their own emotional responses, with the appropriate tools. 

The reinforcement of values based on integral education and respect is also part of our programs, in all academic periods our students have everything they need for their emotional development.