Emotional intelligence (EI) is one of the strongest predictors of a child’s long-term well-being, academic success, and healthy social development. Learning how to recognize emotions, manage feelings, and respond with empathy helps young people build stronger relationships, improve behavior, reduce stress, and cope more effectively with everyday challenges. Research consistently shows that children with higher emotional intelligence experience better mental health, stronger self-regulation, and greater resilience.

Developing emotional intelligence is a core part of social-emotional learning (SEL) — and one of the most valuable skills we can teach. When children understand their emotions and know how to express them in healthy ways, they become more confident, more compassionate, and better prepared to navigate school, friendships, and life’s difficulties.

On this page, you’ll find free GrowHumans worksheets, SEL activities, and evidence-based resources tailored to five age groups: preschool, 6–8, 9–11, 12–14, and 15–19. Our resources and tools are evidence-based, easy to use, and perfect for classrooms, homes, counseling sessions, or youth programs.

You can use GrowHumans resources to support emotional development in:

• Identifying and naming emotions,

• Understanding emotional triggers and patterns,

• Emotion regulation and calming strategies,

• Empathy, compassion, and perspective-taking,

• Healthy self-expression and communication,

• Managing anger, stress, frustration, and worry.

Teaching emotional intelligence gives children lifelong tools for better relationships, stronger well-being, and a more resilient, emotionally healthy future.​