Another 2009 article, by William Weis and his colleagues at Seattle University and published in the "Journal of Organizational Culture, Communication and Conflict," states that self-awareness of emotions forms the foundation of emotional intelligence. Children often feel strong emotions, such as fatigue, anger, hurt and joy. Parents or educators can teach children to identify emotions by mirroring them back verbally. For example, if the child missed a nap and acts out, the adult can say, "You feel really tired, don't you?"
Once children can identify their own emotions, they become capable of understanding the emotions of others. Taylor states that this emotion recognition is the root of empathy. Parents and educators can strive to make every interaction an emotion learning opportunity. For instance, two siblings fighting over a sand bucket offers a chance to teach. The parent can explain that each child wants the bucket, and each wants it intensely. Both will feel sad, and perhaps angry, if not allowed to use it. When children see their own emotions mirrored in each other, empathy is born.
Children learn optimism by observation and explicit teaching, and a parent who lives positively provides a persuasive model of optimism. A 2011 article by teacher and ADHD expert Tom Daly states that, along with modeling, parents can teach optimism by helping children to reframe frustration. For example, if the child unsuccessfully tried to create a watercolor painting, the parent can point out the new skills learned during the attempt. According to Daly, this sense of optimism will lead to better health and more satisfying lives.
Weis and his colleagues state that one way to enhance emotional intelligence is to hone communication skills. Children need to be given the words to label feelings. Reading together provides a communication exchange on several levels. The characters in the book experience emotions that readers can label. The reader and the child can exchange commentary, such as "Wow, he looks angry, doesn't he?" Also, the reading session engages active listening. Masterful communicators tend to rank as the most intent listeners.