Emotional regulation starts in the seconds after a baby is born through skin‑to‑skin contact, which teaches infants that proximity to a caregiver helps regulate their emotional state. This early co‑regulation forms the foundation of emotional intelligence long before memory develops.

As children grow, their brains become increasingly capable of understanding and applying emotional strategies. Tools like the “Batman Effect”—adopting a superhero persona to step outside themselves—help kids shift perspective and handle difficult emotions more productively.

High school programs teaching science‑based emotion‑regulation tools show that students who learn these strategies are more likely to use them in real life. Preliminary findings also show improved GPAs among students who apply these tools, proving emotional intelligence training impacts meaningful outcomes.