SCRF 2025: Authors Highlight Role of Emotional Intelligence in Children’s Growth

Sharjah, At the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025), authors and educators came together to stress the importance of emotional intelligence in shaping children’s mental well-being and relationships. The panel discussion, “Fostering Emotional Intelligence from the Early Years”, featured Indian author Varun Duggirala, Kuwaiti writer Sara Al Zhafiri, and Emirati educator Maya Al Hawaari, and was moderated by artist and lawyer Layla Mohammed.Duggirala highlighted how social interaction and emotional regulation can reduce screen dependency and improve children’s resilience. Al Zhafiri, known for her philosophical workshops and books like What Shape is my Heart?, emphasised the power of communication and creative expression in helping children understand their feelings. Al Hawaari, drawing from personal experience, underlined the role of parents as emotional role models, describing emotional intelligence as essential to human self-awareness.The panel echoed a unified message: emotional development is as crucial as academics, and stories can be a powerful medium to nurture it. The 16th edition of SCRF, themed “Dive into Books”, continues until May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah.