Emotional Intelligence vs Cognitive Intelligence Page 2
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There are many factors that influence emotional intelligence and that emotional intelligence level also impacts many domains in a child’s life. This makes it extremely important to understand. Both types of intelligence can affect numerous life events and daily choices including teamwork, risk taking, work ethic, peer interactions, and self-advocating behaviors.
Where cognitive intelligence is easily identified and measured in many cases, emotional intelligence can pose some challenges in that regard. Because emotional intelligence is often personal and heavily relies on many extenuating factors it is difficult to measure, however that doesn’t mean that support shouldn’t be given to children of all ages. Early childhood educators can assist children in developing healthy emotional intelligence in many ways.
Consider adults that you interact with regularly. You may know someone who is very intelligent but lacks in emotional intelligence, being easily offended or being considered rude or crass. Adults with these attributes are usually just considered to have an unappealing personality but it really boils down to low emotional intelligence. Beyond personality traits, a low emotional intelligence can also show signs of depression, anxiety, inability to relate to others, lack of emotional control, gross misunderstanding of emotions, and other unfortunate things. It is easiest to think of emotional intelligence as a lack of emotional understanding in oneself and others. As you can imagine, this can have major life consequences in both personal and professional areas.