A home where Emotional Intelligence is consciously fostered will inevitably produce deeper and stronger bonds, more respectful communication and team collaboration, reduced conflict, improved wellbeing and overall happiness.

A study from 2015 of the American Journal of Public Health revealed a direct link between children’s social and emotional skills and their success across a wide range of health, social, and even economic measures.

Leveraging 20 years of data, researchers tracked more than 700 children from kindergarten to their twenties to investigate whether “social competence” in kindergarten could predict how the same kids would perform as young adults. They found that early social emotional competence was a consistent, significant predictor of outcomes in education, employment, criminal justice, substance use, and mental health.

Kids who scored “well” on social emotional competences were four times more likely to obtain a college degree than kids at the bottom end of the spectrum.

Findings like this, which are already numerous and continue to grow in the realm of research, confirm the high importance of investing in children’s social and emotional competence. They also tell us how much is at stake when our children lack the necessary social and emotional foundation for a healthy and strong foundation for a well-functioning and successful life. Luckily, social emotional skills can be taught and learned and the earlier it is done, the stronger their effects.

When we think about the relevance of this key developmental component, we may wonder what it would take for children to be able to focus, absorb new knowledge, think freely and care about others if they are feeling emotionally disconnected and unworthy, having trouble understanding emotions and controlling behaviours, doubting their capabilities and afraid of making mistakes.

Social and emotional skills are pre-conditions for academic, professional and personal performance and must be systematically integrated in childrens’ education and upbringing.

In our fast-paced, semi-conscious way of living, it is easy to lose perspective of this task. So I invite you to make the commitment with yourself to foster Emotional Intelligence in your everyday family life and interactions with your children.