Toys for the Development of Emotional Intelligence: Learning to Understand and Manage Our Emotions
Man is a social being. Therefore, his psychological state, social status, and many other important components of his life depend on communicative practices. These practices are based not only on a rational understanding of the explicit and implicit rules of specific groups and communities but also on more intuitive things. It is what a person perceives through the so-called emotional intelligence, the ability to read the signals others give us.
All Children learn to pick up signals from other people from early childhood: communication with parents and peers at a young age determines how a child will be able to coexist in a group and build personal relationships. This is a significant and challenging period. Firstly, not all children easily adapt to the social environment, and secondly, there are always misunderstandings in communication, and young children are not always capable of resolving them. This can lead to conflicts and psychological traumas.
Psychological trauma at such a young age can impact the rest of one’s life. A child’s childhood may be permanently overshadowed and may require specialized help later to heal the damage suffered during the growing-up period.
It should be noted that a parent cannot and should not completely restrict a child from social contact, including potentially dangerous ones. The ability to defend oneself and one’s point of view, to advocate for one’s interests in disputes with peers and sometimes even with adults, guarantee the freedom and independence of the child’s personality in the future.
It is essential to establish the line between what requires parental intervention and what children can resolve on their own. However, it is equally important to create a safe environment for the child to practice their communication and relationship skills. The best way to do this is with toys.
Mental Math App for Kids
The mental math games are all about the ability of thinking and solving a problem in your head. It builds that critical thinking in a child’s mind and makes him able to deduce solutions to different problems.
Social practices in the form of play
Through Juguetes de construcción de madera toys, children can play out different forms of relationships while avoiding the risks of hurting themselves or real people. Examples of such relationships include:
Friends: This is the most straightforward and evident example. A child becomes attached to a toy and, with a rich imagination, attributes qualities, tastes, and habits to it. Many of these qualities will manifest the child’s characteristics, which they transfer to the toy. Gradually, they will start to develop affection for it and even respect its wishes. But most importantly, they will unconsciously have to put themselves in the toy’s place for it to have an identity. This will be extremely useful in future relationships with peers.
Boss and Subordinate: A child can also develop a domineering attitude concerning toys. By “giving orders” to their toys, the child can develop the beginnings of leadership skills. This can make them more aggressive and even complicate their lives in the future, but it can also provide them with a stable position in the social hierarchy.
Caregiver: It is often obvious to a child that they have to take care of their toys. The toys’ well-being depends on them. Unsurprisingly, this type of play builds an internal sense of responsibility. In the future, the child will be more responsible when caring for younger siblings and pets.
These are not the only examples that can arise. The relationship between a child and their toy can be very different and greatly depends on the environment in which the child grows up, their latent preferences, and simple chance. However, regardless of that, it allows the child to discover their personality and inclinations. This is very useful for self-acceptance and understanding one’s oveall characteristics.
However, it is imperative for parents to monitor how their children’s personalities develop. With anthropomorphic toys, this can be complicated. We cannot read a child’s thoughts; of course, we cannot always perceive a dangerous sign. If this is not done and the child is not provided with the necessary personal and professional support, it can have far-reaching negative consequences. Therefore, it makes sense to provide the child with simple toys: various stacking toys, blocks, other building sets, and coloring pages. What the child does with them will be a much more apparent form of self-expression.
What does this have to do with emotional intelligence? A person understands the motives, feelings, and desires of others based on their experience. Of course, there can be difficulties and misunderstandings because every person is different, and it is elementary to deceive oneself into thinking that the other person wants the same thing as you. But this is the main way we have, and it is precisely the most convenient one in everyday life. Therefore, by understanding oneself, a person enhances emotional intelligence, learning coexistence and compassion. And the foundations of this tend to lie in toys and games in early childhood.
What are the preferred toys for developing emotional intelligence?
The most obvious answer to this question is toys that resemble people or living beings. This makes it easier for the child to relate to the toy and develop a system of relationships. However, wooden construction toys, stacking toys, and similar items can be equally valuable. These toys can even be more valuable to parents as it is easier to observe the dynamics of a child’s tendencies.
But it makes sense for parents to provide their children with a variety of toys that allow them to express themselves. This way, the child will develop a harmonious personality, especially if the parents are there to explain the nuances of interpersonal relationships and their feelings.
FAQs
Q1: What are some toys for the development of emotional intelligence?
Toys that promote the development of emotional intelligence often include interactive dolls or plush toys with customizable emotions, allowing children to explore empathy and expression. Additionally, board games or storytelling sets that focus on recognizing and managing emotions can enhance a child’s understanding of their own feelings and those of others.
Q2: How do toys help children understand and manage their emotions?
Toys provide a tangible and interactive platform for children to engage with and explore their emotions in a safe and non-judgmental way, encouraging self-reflection and awareness. Through imaginative play and storytelling facilitated by toys, children can experiment with different emotional scenarios, learn problem-solving skills, and develop strategies for emotional regulation and empathy.
Q3: What are the benefits of using toys to enhance emotional intelligence in children?
Using toys to enhance emotional intelligence in children can foster self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation, equipping them with valuable life skills for building and maintaining healthy relationships. Additionally, engaging with emotional intelligence toys promotes communication and social interaction, encouraging children to express their feelings and understand the emotions of others effectively.
Q4: Can you provide examples of specific toys that promote emotional intelligence development?
Examples of toys that promote emotional intelligence development include “Emotion Stones” where children can identify and discuss different emotions depicted on the stones, and “Feelings Flashcards” that encourage conversation and reflection on various emotions, helping children expand their emotional vocabulary and understanding.
Q5: How can parents or caregivers incorporate toys into everyday activities to foster emotional intelligence in children?
Parents or caregivers can incorporate toys into everyday activities by using them as prompts for discussions about emotions, encouraging children to express and label their feelings. They can also engage in role-playing with toys, allowing children to explore and practice empathy, problem-solving, and emotional regulation in a fun and interactive way.
