6 Strategies to Boost Emotional Intelligence in Classrooms

As a country that values collaborative work and respect, as well as educational achievement, students at the elementary, high school, and university levels still continue to face challenges both in their personal (such as financial worries, relationships, or health concerns) and school lives (such as internet connectivity, difficulties in academics, bullying, or challenging projects). 

‍

According to data provided by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), among the participating nations in their research, the Philippines had a high percentage of bullying (2018), and the percentage decreased in 2022. Nevertheless, this problem affects both boys and girls, and it can make school life more difficult than desired.

‍

With most, if not all, of these experiences, it is critical that schools, in collaboration with school counselors, educators, and non-teaching staff, create a safe environment in which kids may develop and utilize emotional intelligence.

‍

What does Emotional Intelligence mean? 

Emotional Intelligence (EI) or Emotional Quotient (EQ) refers to a person's capacity to identify, understand, manage, and express their emotions. The ability to identify another's emotion is also vital in developing successful relationships. Others may not consider this intelligence relevant, but it is necessary for personal and professional success.

‍

‍

Researchers classify emotional intelligence into four levels: emotional awareness, emotional reasoning, emotional comprehension, and emotional regulation. People with emotional intelligence can read nonverbal cues, which help them understand emotions correctly; reason with emotions, which helps them think and learn; and understand feelings, such as anger and unhappiness. Controlling your emotions, responding appropriately, and knowing how others feel are all parts of emotion regulation, which is the highest level of emotional intelligence.

‍

How can it benefit students?

Experts suggest that emotional intelligence is just as essential as IQ. More importantly, research demonstrates that emotional intelligence correlates with academic accomplishment.

‍

The primary goal is that it teaches children how to handle real-life situations while avoiding and rejecting bullying, selfish behavior, and harassment. It teaches people how to express their thoughts and what bothers them, empathize with others, think before reacting, manage emotions, and build self- and social awareness.

‍

Strategies to instill Emotional Intelligence in our classrooms:

In recent years, educators have included and improved Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in school curricula. Schools can provide mental health and psychosocial education to their students and faculty members with the assistance of Guidance Counselors and Guidance Associates. Here are some additional ways that schools might incorporate EI in their classrooms:

‍

1. Teach learners about  the different emotions that we have

We must teach students about the different emotions we experience as we grow. With this, students will have a vocabulary for describing and communicating their feelings. Inside Out, as well as several emotion-themed songs on YouTube, serve as excellent starting points for young learners.

‍

As kids grow older, it is critical to remind children that all feelings, no matter how big or small, are important and not bad. We should teach big emotions like anger or frustration as normal so that children don't fear experiencing them.

‍

2. Introduce techniques in communicating and managing their emotions

Educators and caregivers should assist kids and adolescents in discovering strategies to manage their emotions because they tend to be reactive—shouting when upset, crying when angry, and remaining silent when hurt. 

‍

Check-in sessions with students to ask how they are feeling are examples of guidance or homeroom activities, while mindfulness activities such as an emotions chart or journal can help learners monitor their feelings and what events occurred to cause them to feel that way. Most importantly, it's crucial to remind them that while all feelings are valid, the actions they take when experiencing a particular emotion may not be.

‍

3. Introduce delayed gratification

Delayed gratification refers to the ability to avoid immediate pleasures in order to acquire more valuable rewards later. In recent years, psychologist Walter Mischel conducted the Marshmallow Test, a well-known experiment from the 1960s where he gave kindergarteners a treat for waiting. It demonstrated that children who were able to put off eating the cookies or marshmallows in front of them developed patience and perseverance in achieving their goals.

‍

It is difficult to teach and apply in life, especially for adults, since most things are quick these days—instant images, instant pancit canton—but it can teach children determination and patience as they work toward larger goals. As our saying goes, “‘Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga.”

‍

4. Allow mistakes and feelings of frustrations

We often hear comments like "Ano ba yan…" when we make mistakes or fail to follow directions properly. This sentence can raise doubts among pupils and prevent them from exploring what is possible. Allowing children to explore during class experiments, art projects, or free play (i.e., recess) can help them learn how to deal with frustration and determine which things work and which don't.

‍

While this can be frustrating for educators and caregivers, we can still recommend options for the children to consider. Whatever they decide to do, it is critical that they know they have someone to talk to, that their mistakes or failures are acceptable, and that they serve as stepping stones for progress.

‍

5. Introduce strategies to practice and show gratitude

Educators and caregivers alike can help learners show gratitude to themselves and others. Activities such as gratitude journals or gratitude jars allow kids to write down people, things, and events that happened to them today that they are grateful for. Furthermore, practicing saying "thank you" is a beneficial starting point for our preschool students.

‍

6. Introduce empathy

Empathy is our ability to understand and relate to another person's emotions. This can be challenging to teach, but simple activities like participating in donation drives, volunteer work in communities, random acts of kindness in classrooms, and partner strategies in academic or extracurricular activities are effective places to start so that children can be sensitive and learn to empathize with their peers. 

‍

Implementing these approaches may be challenging at first, but with persistent practice, they help create a positive and healthy learning environment for all learners. This will also allow learners to apply these abilities in their daily lives, resulting in a more welcoming and warm community for everybody. 

‍

NOTE: Educators may also modify the activities based on the learners' age range.

‍

Reference:

• Banks, A. (2024, April 23). Emotional Intelligence in the Classroom: Nurturing Students’ Emotional Well-being for Academic Success. Retrieved from Insights to Behavior: https://insightstobehavior.com/blog/emotional-intelligence-in-the-classroom-nurturing-students-emotional-well-being-for-academic-success/
• Cherry, K. (2024, January 31). Emotional Intelligence: How We Perceive, Evaluate, Express, and Control Emotions. Retrieved from Verywell Mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-emotional-intelligence-2795423
• delay of gratification. (2024, August 5). Retrieved from Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/science/delay-of-gratification
• EDCOM 2 Communications. (2024, June 13). “High incidence of bullying in PH public schools alarming” – EDCOM 2. Retrieved from EDCOM 2: https://edcom2.gov.ph/high-incidence-of-bullying-in-ph-public-schools-alarming-edcom-2/#:~:text=On%20the%20other%20hand%2C%20the,%2C%20and%2021%25%20of%20boys.
• Emotional Intelligence: How to improve EI in the classroom. (2024, August 5). Retrieved from Meteor Education: https://meteoreducation.com/emotional-intelligence-2/

‍