Ask the Expert: Nurturing Emotional Intelligence From Early Childhood

Helping children recognize, express, and manage their emotions is just as important as teaching them to walk and talk. Emotional intelligence shapes how kids handle challenges, build relationships, and develop self-confidence—starting from their earliest years and continuing through childhood. This week, we have Meeta Gupta Hari, Counsellor at Reconnect Singapore, joining us for an exclusive Ask the Expert session! Whether you're navigating toddler tantrums, guiding a school-aged child through friendships, or wondering how to foster emotional awareness at home, this is your chance to ask an expert. 💬 Drop your questions from March 19-25 📅 Live answering session: March 26 at 12 PM Let’s equip our kids with the emotional tools they need for life. Ask your questions in the comments below! ⬇️ #AskTheExpert #RaisingEmotionallyStrongKids #ParentingTips #ChildDevelopment

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I'm worried... My 2-year-old seems to already know how to fake crying and screaming to get what they want. I realize that both my babysitter and I tend to always give in to their requests just to avoid them crying. But now it's turning into this... I'm afraid this habit will continue as they grow up. :(

Meeta Gupta Hari

Counsellor at Reconnect Singapore

8mo ago

Dear Mei Hui, thanks for writing in. This is a good question. As mothers, we often have an instinctive sense of when our child is genuinely distressed versus when they are fake crying or screaming. I encourage you to trust your gut. If you feel the crying is just an attempt to get something, you have the right to say no. I understand that as parents, we sometimes give in because it’s hard to see our children cry and scream. It’s important to stay calm during a meltdown. You can set boundaries by saying something like, "I can see you’re really upset right now because I said no. I am here with you." If you start to feel frustrated, try stepping away for a moment, if possible, and allow someone else to step in for a short break. The more consistently you stick to your “no”, the easier it will become for your child to understand that not every request results in a yes. The real challenge is finding ways to stay calm when the child is in distress, especially when giving in feels like the e

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