Why I built EQ Ninjas
Knowing the research did not make me a perfect parent.
My doctoral work taught me a great deal about emotional intelligence. At home, I still had moments when I lost my temper with my kids and wished I had responded differently. I had to practice noticing what was happening inside me, slowing down, and choosing what to do next.
I wanted my kids to learn those same skills sooner than I did. I also wanted to give other parents a practical way to teach them.
Kids need to practice, not just listen.
Children cannot learn emotional skills through explanations alone. They need plain language, examples they recognize, and time to practice when they are calm.
This became EQ Ninjas. The guided workbooks lead each lesson, the app brings stories and activities to life, the belt system makes progress visible, and the parent materials help families keep using the skills at home.
How the research shaped the program
I wanted the curriculum grounded in evidence, not just good intentions.
For my doctoral research, I studied several models of emotional intelligence and the evidence on how these skills are taught. The models do not all use the same language, but they consistently return to the same abilities: recognizing emotions, managing reactions, recovering from setbacks, understanding other people, and building healthy relationships. I used those findings to shape the order and structure of EQ Ninjas.
Practice can improve emotional skills
Research reviews and meta-analyses have found that emotional intelligence skills can improve with structured training. EQ Ninjas gives children repeated opportunities to practice, while recognizing that every child develops at a different pace.
Examples make ideas concrete
Stories and scenarios show children what a skill looks like in situations they recognize. Activities then give them a chance to make choices and try the skill themselves.
Skills build over time
EQ Ninjas begins with noticing feelings, then moves into self-regulation, resilience, empathy, and relationships. Later lessons return to earlier skills so children keep practicing instead of treating each topic as a one-time lesson.
See selected sources from my doctoral research
- Hodzic et al. (2017), How Efficient Are Emotional Intelligence Trainings: A Meta-Analysis
- Kotsou et al. (2018), Improving Emotional Intelligence: A Systematic Review of Existing Work and Future Challenges
- Nelis et al. (2009), Increasing Emotional Intelligence: (How) Is It Possible?
- Papoutsi et al. (2024), The Park of Emotions: A Serious Game for the Development of Emotional Intelligence in Children
What I want parents to know
You do not need to have this figured out first.
I have spent years studying emotional intelligence, and I still have moments as a parent that I wish I had handled differently. These skills are never finished. They grow through practice, reflection, and trying again.
You do not have to be perfect to help your child. You can learn the language, practice the skills, and work through difficult moments together. EQ Ninjas gives families a place to do that.
Dr. Cory Cummings
Founder of EQ Ninjas
Doctor of Strategic Leadership, Regent University