Early Learning Program for Children Aged 6 Months to 5 Years

Help Your Child Build Strong EQ and IQ from an Early Age

At Shichida, we support both emotional intelligence and cognitive development through a whole-brain learning approach that engages the heart and stimulates the mind.

Through structured, age-appropriate activities, children build confidence, communication skills, empathy, problem-solving ability and a stronger foundation for lifelong learning.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by 18,000+ Australian families

emotional development in early childhood - A mum holding her young son's hand in a Shichida class, while they bond and have fun together

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Parent attends with child

Why EQ and IQ Development Matters

Raising EQ and IQ is about developing the whole child, not just academic ability.

Emotional development in early childhood and cognitive development both play important roles in how children grow, learn and interact with the world.

EQ, or emotional intelligence, helps children understand emotions, build empathy, communicate with confidence and develop healthy relationships.

IQ, or cognitive ability, supports thinking skills, memory, problem-solving, attention and learning ability.

Together, EQ and IQ development can help children:

  • Build emotional intelligence and self-awareness
  • Develop communication and social skills
  • Strengthen confidence and resilience
  • Improve memory, attention and problem-solving
  • Manage challenges and stressful situations more calmly
  • Become more adaptable, curious and active learners

The early years are an important time to support both emotional and cognitive growth, helping children build a strong foundation for school, relationships and life.

Raising EQ and IQ for kids using holistic learning program, featuring preschool aged girls in a Shichida centre. They are chatting, laughing and high-fiving each other.

What EQ and IQ Skills Will Your Child Develop

Together, these skills support emotional balance, confident communication, flexible thinking and lifelong learning.

Why Many Children Develop Stronger EQ and IQ with the Shichida Method

At Shichida, we focus on developing the whole child, not just academic ability.

Our approach engages the heart to engage the mind, helping children build emotional intelligence, social confidence and cognitive skills together.

Traditional Learning Shichida Method
Focuses mainly on academic results Develops both thinking ability and emotional intelligence (EQ and IQ)
Limited focus on emotional development Builds empathy, confidence, and emotional resilience
Passive learning Active whole-brain learning approach
One-dimensional development Supports thinking, emotion, behaviour, and communication
Learning without parent involvement Encourages parent-child bonding and shared learning

The Shichida Method integrates emotional intelligence, social skills and cognitive development to support balanced growth in children.

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What Your Child Will Do and Learn in a Shichida EQ and IQ Class

Each 50-minute Shichida class is designed to develop the whole child, supporting emotional development in early childhood alongside thinking ability, memory, focus and problem-solving.

Depending on your child’s age and class level, activities may include:

  • Confidence-building affirmations
  • Parent-child bonding activities
  • Communication and turn-taking games
  • Empathy-based storytelling and social interaction
  • Mindfulness, breathing and calming activities
  • Collaborative tasks that help children work with others
  • Memory, logic and problem-solving activities
  • Flashcards, songs and rhythm-based learning
  • Sensory play and hands-on learning
  • Activities that build emotional control, resilience and self-awareness

These activities help children engage the heart and mind together, building emotional intelligence, cognitive ability, confidence and social skills in a balanced way.

See How Your Child Responds in Their First Class

See how your child responds in their very first class

Your trial class includes:

  • A full 50-minute session
  • A real classroom environment
  • Guidance from a trained instructor
  • Opportunity to observe your child’s response

✔ No experience needed
✔ Parent attends with child
✔ No pressure to enrol

emotional development in early childhood - A mum holding her young son's hand in a Shichida class, while they bond and have fun together

What Is EQ and IQ Development

EQ and IQ development refers to supporting both emotional development in early childhood and cognitive ability in children.

EQ includes:

  • Understanding emotions
  • Empathy and relationships
  • Communication and social confidence
  • Emotional control and resilience

IQ includes:

  • Thinking and reasoning
  • Memory and attention
  • Problem-solving
  • Learning ability and information processing

Developing both helps children grow into well-rounded individuals who can think clearly, relate to others and approach learning with confidence.

How to Support Your Child’s EQ and IQ Development

When Should EQ and IQ Development Begin

Children begin developing emotional and cognitive skills from infancy.

The early years are the most effective time to support EQ and IQ development through structured learning and interaction.

FAQs About Cognitive & Emotional Development in Early Childhood (EQ and IQ)

Brain training for kids refers to fun, age-appropriate activities that help children build important thinking skills, such as memory, focus, problem-solving, listening, visual recall and concentration. In early childhood, brain training works best when it feels like play, not pressure.

At Shichida, brain training happens through fast-paced, engaging activities such as flashcards, memory games, songs, visualisation, puzzles, number activities and parent-child interaction. These activities are designed to support whole-brain development while helping children build confidence, curiosity and a love of learning from an early age.

Brain training for children can support key learning skills such as memory, focus, concentration, problem-solving, creativity, visual recall and early literacy and numeracy. These skills help children become more confident learners, both in class and in everyday life.

For young children, the goal is not to create pressure or force academic results. The real benefit is giving the brain rich, consistent and age-appropriate stimulation during the early years. At Shichida, children build these skills through playful activities that also support emotional confidence, parent-child bonding and a positive attitude towards learning.

Children can begin brain training from babyhood, as long as the activities are gentle, playful and suited to their age and stage. Even babies benefit from rich learning experiences such as songs, rhythm, movement, sensory play, picture cards, language exposure and loving interaction with their parent or caregiver.

Shichida Australia offers classes from 6 months old, with activities designed for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and primary-aged children. The earlier children receive positive, consistent stimulation, the more opportunities they have to build strong foundations for memory, focus, communication, emotional confidence and learning.

Examples of brain training activities for kids include flashcards, memory games, puzzles, matching games, storytelling, visualisation, number games, rhythm activities, speed reading exercises, problem-solving tasks and activities that require children to listen, recall and respond.

At Shichida, these activities are delivered in a fun, fast-paced and age-appropriate way. For example, children may practise recalling images, identifying patterns, solving puzzles, following instructions, singing educational songs or using visual memory during class. These activities help build cognitive skills while keeping children engaged, happy and confident.

IQ generally refers to a child’s reasoning, memory, problem-solving and thinking skills. For young children, it is more helpful to think of IQ as part of their broader cognitive development, rather than as a fixed score or label.

In early childhood, children are still developing rapidly. Their thinking skills grow through language, play, movement, problem-solving, memory activities, social interaction and hands-on learning. At Shichida, the focus is not on testing children, but on supporting the skills that contribute to strong learning foundations, including focus, memory, reasoning, creativity and confidence.

Yes, children can build cognitive skills such as memory, focus and problem-solving through consistent, age-appropriate practice. These skills develop over time when children are given rich learning experiences, positive support and opportunities to think, recall, observe, compare, reason and try again.

Activities such as puzzles, flashcards, matching games, visual memory tasks, storytelling, number games and problem-solving challenges can all help strengthen cognitive development. At Shichida, children practise these skills in a structured but playful environment, helping them become more focused, confident and capable learners.

Shichida supports cognitive development by using whole-brain learning activities that help children build memory, focus, concentration, problem-solving, visualisation, language, numeracy and critical thinking skills. Each class includes a wide variety of fast-paced activities designed to stimulate the brain in different ways.

Children may work with flashcards, puzzles, songs, memory games, number activities, image training and hands-on tasks. These activities help children practise listening, recalling information, recognising patterns, solving problems and staying engaged. The aim is to build strong learning foundations while keeping the experience fun, positive and age-appropriate.

Children in Shichida classes build a wide range of cognitive skills, including memory, focus, concentration, visual recall, problem-solving, critical thinking, early numeracy, literacy, listening skills, spatial awareness and creativity.

For example, children may practise remembering images, solving puzzles, recognising numbers, listening to instructions, identifying patterns, completing worksheets, using flashcards or taking part in speed-based activities. These tasks help children strengthen the skills they need for learning, school readiness and everyday problem-solving. Because the activities are playful and varied, children also build confidence and a positive attitude towards learning.

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, in children refers to their ability to understand feelings, express emotions, manage frustration, build confidence, show empathy and relate well to others. In early childhood, EQ is still developing, so children need guidance, reassurance and positive examples from the adults around them.

A child with growing emotional intelligence may begin to name their feelings, take turns, cope with small challenges, listen to others, show kindness and recover from disappointment. EQ is important because it supports confidence, friendships, behaviour, communication and resilience — all of which help children thrive in learning and life.

Emotional development is important in early childhood because it helps children understand their feelings, build confidence, manage challenges and form healthy relationships. These skills affect how children behave, learn, communicate and respond to new situations.

When children feel emotionally secure, they are more willing to try new things, make mistakes, ask questions and keep going when something feels difficult. Emotional development also supports self-control, empathy, resilience and social confidence. At Shichida, emotional growth is supported through positive teacher guidance, parent-child bonding, group learning and activities that help children feel capable and valued.

Shichida supports emotional intelligence by creating a positive, structured and caring learning environment where children can build confidence, persistence, social awareness and self-belief. Children learn through guided activities, parent-child interaction, teacher support and opportunities to practise listening, turn-taking, responding and trying again.

Because classes are designed to be fun and encouraging, children can experience success while also learning how to manage small challenges. Over time, this helps build emotional confidence, patience, resilience and a stronger love of learning. Shichida’s approach supports not only cognitive skills, but also the emotional foundations children need to thrive.

EQ and IQ are both important because children need strong thinking skills and strong emotional skills to thrive. IQ-related skills, such as memory, focus, reasoning and problem-solving, help children learn and process information. EQ-related skills, such as confidence, empathy, resilience and self-control, help children manage emotions, connect with others and keep trying when learning feels hard.

A child may be bright, but still need emotional confidence to speak up, attempt challenges or work with others. That is why early learning should support the whole child — not just academic ability, but confidence, communication, curiosity and emotional wellbeing too.

Shichida balances cognitive and emotional development by combining brain training activities with a warm, positive and parent-supported learning environment. Children practise memory, focus, problem-solving, numeracy, literacy and visualisation, while also building confidence, persistence, communication and emotional security.

In class, children are not simply completing tasks. They are learning to listen, respond, try again, celebrate progress, interact with others and enjoy learning with their parent or caregiver. This balance helps support both IQ-related skills and EQ-related skills, giving children strong foundations for school, relationships and lifelong learning.

Book a Trial Class

Give Your Child a Strong Foundation for Learning and Life

Develop emotional intelligence, confidence and thinking ability from an early age.

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  • Trial class: $70
  • Life membership: $100 one-off
  • Term fee: $700 / 10 weeks
  • Weekly 50-minute classes
  • Max 6 children
  • Parent attends

Shichida Early Learning Centre Locations

81 Burwood Road, Burwood, NSW, 2134, Australia
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Central Tower, Chadstone Shopping Centre, Level 3/1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148, Australia
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Shichida Early Learning Centre Chatswood
Level 1/370 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia
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Shichida Early Learning Centre Doncaster is located inside Doncaster Westfield.
Westfield Shopping Centre, Level 4, Suite 4002/619 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster VIC, Australia
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The Glen Shopping Centre, Ground Floor/235 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley VIC 3150, Australia
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Highpoint Shopping Centre, Level 4, 120/200 Rosamond Rd, Maribyrnong VIC 3032, Australia
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Suite 403, Level 4, 1 Wentworth Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
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Shichida Early Learning Centre Locations

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