Emotional Intelligence By Don MacMannis l Emotional Stability of Children l Emotions and Children l Kids and Emotions

I got called into the principal’s office the other day. I wasn’t in trouble like decades ago when I used to throw spitballs and got busted by Mrs. Applegate. This time I was called in as a psychologist to provide consultation to a local school. Seven-year-old Natalie, the worst challenge they’d seen in years, had defeated administrators. She was the ringleader of a group of first grade girls who would gang up on the others.

This kind of story, unfortunately, is becoming more commonplace. Kids lack social and emotional skills while parents rate these concerns as secondary. Academics come first. But new brain research reveals that emotions need quieting for learning to happen. Kids with high “Emotional Intelligence” skills have higher test scores and fewer behavior problems. It turns out, we’ve been putting the cart before the horse. Emotional intelligence primarily includes a set of five factors. Here are the factors in more detail.

The Good News

The good news is that new knowledge is now available, both about the importance of EQ, and about how to boost these skills at home and in school. The question that every parent should be asking is, “What can I do every day to prepare “my Natalie” for life’s inevitable stresses. How can I provide experiences, books, songs and discussions around these issues, and become a coach of lessons in EQ?”

Hundreds of studies have shown that there are effective programs to boost EQ in schools. Even when these programs take time away from the traditional 3R’s, academic scores go up. If I had a wish for the world, parents and teachers alike would start putting the horse before the cart. Let’s implement these effective new ways to boost kids social and emotional tools - the critical keys to happiness, success, and improved academics.