High divorce rates, bullying -both cyber and in person, body image diseases, increased violence on the news, fast-paced lifestyles, higher levels of stress in society and other issues make today’s world harder than ever before to navigate, especially for children. Parents and teachers must help children develop the skills they require to manage their emotions through these turbulent times.

Emotional Intelligence (sometimes called EI or EQ) is about building relationships with yourself and with others that will help you to flourish. Emotional Intelligence is a core collection of competencies which can build the capacity to create better relationships and a happier outlook.

Daniel Goleman turned Emotional Intelligence into a household phrase by investigating the research of Peter Salovey and John Mayer in the mid 1990′s. He says EI has five domains: Self awareness, Self Management, Motivation, Relationship Awareness and Relationship Management.

Children pass through numerous phases in developing their emotions. Sadness, happiness, and fear, for example, can be recognized by very young children through nonverbal signals such as facial expression. We should start to build young children’s emotional literacy letting children know it is ok to have a variety of feelings and that all feelings have a purpose. We can then start to teach children the names of those feelings and how to manage them successfully.

What other skills does emotional intelligence education provide children? It can also help them to manage conflict with friends, resulting in more positive outcomes. They can develop skills in self motivation which can help them learn to study and manage their workloads at school and home better and to set goals for themselves. Developing an optimistic outlook and managing stress are other benefits. Children will learn to work cooperatively with others both inside and outside of the school.

Additionally, children with high emotional intelligence are also able to display empathy for others and may be key in aiding others with diminished EI. These are skills that will assist children as they grow up and become adults.

Research consistently shows that classrooms that put into practice effective EI programs have better academic results. Children who have good relationships with their classmates and teachers, can manage their stress levels and are optimistic and self motivated are more likely to have an improved academic experience. Emotional intelligence education must be on the agenda of all schools as essential learning. Equally parents must help their children learn about their emotions and how to make the most of them.

Jean Piaget was a 20th century educational theorist and researcher who has had a significant impact on the way we understand children. He once said that “play is the work of childhood.” He developed the idea that children pass through four distinct stages as they grow from infants into adults. We will discuss these stages and the overall benefits of educational toys in this article.

Sensorimotor

The first stage that a child goes through is the sensorimotor stage. This stage lasts from birth until about 24 months of age. In this stage, the child moves from the reflexes of an infant to the understanding that objects remain even when they are out of sight and the ability to think symbolically. At each point along the way, the toys given to a child must be appropriate for the substage that the child is progressing through.

Newborns and young babies need toys that they can explore safely with their mouths. Throughout the sensorimotor stage, the primary means of learning takes place through the child’s senses. As babies get older toys that yield predictable results, such as a rattle, are important. Eventually, the young toddler will do experiments with the toys to see what kinds of results he or she can get with them. Stacking toys, toys that show causes and effect, toys that children can manipulate are all suitable for children of this stage.

Preoperational

At about the age of two through seven years old, children proceed through the preoperational stage. Children at this age cannot think logically. They do have great imaginations and magical thinking. Toys that allow them to try out adult roles, such as dress up clothes and toys, and use their imaginations are best for children in this stage. This is also the stage when academics enters the picture. Children need toys that develop number sense, reading and the beginnings of logical thinking, such as puzzles at this stage.

Concrete Operational

The next stage is the concrete operational stage. This stage lasts from about age seven through 12. In this stage, a child’s ability to think logically is just starting to develop. Thinking is very concrete. Providing toys that encourage the development of academic skills, critical thinking and a greater awareness of the world is essential.

Formal Operational

Throughout the teen years and into adulthood, the child’s ability to think abstractly develops. Less time is spent on playing with toys and more time is devoted to specific hobbies and interests, as well as socializing and friends. Hobbies and other interests should be encouraged by providing the child with experiential activities and opportunities to include his or her friends, when possible.

Short- And Long-Term Effects

Children who have been provided with educational toys continue to reap the benefits of them well into their twenties. IQ test scores are also higher (by as much as 50 points) in children who have been provided educational toys. There are many benefits of educational toys. The child learns interpersonal skills, academic, motor and thinking skills all while having a good time. Every child deserves the advantages of playing with educational toys.