Why Emotional Intelligence Is Just as Important as Academics

As Indian parents, most of us grew up hearing one thing again and again: “Padhai pe dhyaan do.” (Focus on studies.) Marks, exams, and report cards often determined how people saw us. Fast forward to now, many of us expect the same from our children. Of course, academics are important. But in today’s fast-changing world, another skill is becoming just as important—emotional intelligence.

What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (also called EQ) is the ability to understand, control, and express one’s emotions—and to understand how others are feeling too.

It involves the following:

• Recognizing your own emotions
• Managing emotions like stress, anger, or sadness
• Being kind and empathetic toward others 
• Handling disagreements in a peaceful way
• Staying calm and confident during tough times

These qualities are obviously not taught in textbooks. However, they are skills that shape a child’s success, both in school and in life.

Why Academics Alone Are Not Enough

Imagine two students with the same marks. One is kind, handles pressure well, works well in teams, and knows how to bounce back from failure. The other struggles to control anger, finds it hard to work with others, and feels anxious during exams. Who do you think will do better in the real world?

Today’s jobs don’t just need knowledge; these need people who can think clearly under stress, work in teams, and show leadership and empathy. Even in school life, a child with high emotional intelligence handles friendships, failure, and pressure far better than someone who focuses only on marks.

Emotional Intelligence Helps in Learning Too

A calm and happy child learns faster. A child who can manage exam fear or ask for help when confused is likely to perform better in studies. That’s why emotional intelligence and academics are not opposites but they work closely together.

Here’s how EQ supports learning:

• Helps children stay focused in class
• Encourages asking questions without fear of judgment
• Reduces stress and improves memory
• Builds positive relationships with teachers and classmates

So if you want your child to score well, help them become emotionally strong too.

What Signs Show High Emotional Intelligence in Children?

You can usually observe EQ through everyday actions. For example, a child with good emotional intelligence might:

• Say sorry without being told
• Help a classmate who is upset
• Express their feelings instead of throwing tantrums
• Stay calm during disagreements
• Accept losing in a game with grace

These are the small things that show big maturity.

How Schools Can Support Emotional Growth

Forward-thinking schools today are not just teaching Math and Science. They are also creating safe, supportive environments where students learn to express themselves and grow emotionally.

Here’s how schools can support:

• Classroom sharing circles where students talk about their feelings
• Mindfulness activities like deep breathing or quiet reflection
• Storytelling and role-plays that teach empathy and kindness
• Counsellors and wellness programs that help with emotional balance
• Positive discipline instead of punishment

Some schools are even including lessons on how to manage anger, handle friendship problems, and build resilience. These lessons are as valuable as any academic class. 

For example, Ryan School Support Centre provides holistic programmes and services that help students develop their personal, social and career lines. Schools have in-house counsellors and use the guidance curriculum and individual or small-group counselling to help students develop aptitudes designed within a framework. It helps students develop the ability to engage in behaviors that foster good physical and mental health and avoid behaviors that detract from good physical and mental health. It encourages students to build positive attitudes toward one’s self, as both a student and a potential worker.

What Parents Can Do at Home

As parents, you are the first teachers of emotional intelligence. Children learn from how we react, speak, and solve problems. Here’s what you can do:

• Talk openly about emotions: Ask, “How was your day?” and actively listen.
• Teach calm responses: If they are upset, show how to stay calm instead of shouting.
• Don’t ignore feelings: If your child is sad or scared, talk about it with love.
• Praise emotional efforts: “You handled that so well,” is just as powerful as “Good marks!”. However, keep those compliments real and meaningful.
• Allow mistakes: Teach that failure is a part of learning, not the end of the world.

A child who is accepted and understood at home finds it easier to stay emotionally balanced outside.

 The Final Word

At the end of the day, our hopes as parents go beyond marks. We want our children to be kind, confident, strong, and successful in whatever they do. Emotional intelligence is the foundation for all of this.

So yes, help your child study hard—but also help them understand their emotions, talk about their feelings, and be kind to others. That is how we raise not just smart students, but good human beings.

Because in life, it’s not just the topper who succeeds—it’s the one who knows how to rise after falling.