Emotional Intelligence and Education

Page 7

​In early childhood programs, much of the academic learning that occurs relies heavily on group work or center-based activities. This means that children are interacting with someone in their classroom whether it is their teacher, an assistant teacher, or another child. Having a higher level of emotional intelligence or at least having supports to develop these skills will give children a better chance at absorbing academic content. If a child experiences challenges with social interaction they may experience distractions, struggle with behaviors, find challenges with transitions, and be confused by some activities and lessons.      

​According to Romanelli, Cain, and Smith who have compiled significant data in the field of emotional intelligence and academic success, there are many positive correlations between a higher emotional intelligence and academics. Children with higher EQ tend to have more success in all levels of schooling and long into adulthood. These correlations can be attributed to many factors including the ability to self-advocate, cope with stress, and prioritize tasks and information (Romanelli, Cain, Smith, 2006). Social and emotional learning (SEL) also makes academic concepts “stick” better when combined.     

The video below shows the director of Rutgers University's Social and Emotional Learning Lab explaining the connections between emotional intelligence and education. ​

Video: Emotion in Education: An Interview with Maurice Elias​
Source: Edutopia
Length: 5:57
To view this video on YouTube click here 

Click here to report problems with this video.

Course Navigation Menu

​1. Course Agenda
​2. Emotional vs Cognitive 
3. Emotional Intelligence  Important?
4. Behavior
5. EQ versus IQ (1/8)
6. Social Interactions

7.  Education
8.  Supporting Emotional Intelligence
9.   Literature 
10. Identifying Emotions (2/8)
11. Character Emotions (3/8)
12. Tell me, Show me! (4/8) 

13. Kindness Challenge (5/8)
14. Making Faces (6/8)
15. Guess That Emotion (7/8)
16. End of Course Quiz (8/8)
17. Course Evaluation Form​
Parking Lot