Adopt A Child's Education 
Emotional Quotient In Children
By aaceadmin on May 11, 2019 in Original Articles
The difference between a smart child and an emotionally confident adult may lie in the depths of Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Emotional Quotient
EQ refers to Emotional Quotient. It is the perceived measurement of an individual’s emotional intelligence. In other words, how they relate with others, how they tackle discord with others, whether they are apathetic or empathetic.
Emotional Quotient (EQ) Vs Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
Quite unlike its counterpart – IQ, Emotional Quotient (EQ) seldom gets discussed. Today, many adults have low EQ and high IQ. Now, if everyone is book-smart and possesses less than desirable human skills, what then is the world becoming?
Most organisations are on the lookout for individuals with the human capacity to take on certain roles. Unfortunately, their search is made harder by the abundance of technically qualified individuals crippled by insufficient requisite human capacity.
In Nigeria, there is a relative absence of steps or systems that can help a child develop their Emotional Quotient. Notwithstanding, with baby steps it is possible for as many schools as possible to implement necessary EQ developing systems. An example of such is the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) system.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
What is Social-Emotional Learning?
The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines SEL as “the process through which both children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.” CASEL is an organisation largely responsible for taking Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) based programs to as many schools as possible. Furthermore, it acclaims (as supported by research) that SEL-based program are completely capable of developing individuals’ Emotional Quotient.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) ought to be a major aspect of any society’s academic system. However, I can say with confidence that it is often overlooked in many developing countries and particularly in Nigeria. SEL is vital because it is known to groom and assist students in developing important traits. these include their emotional intelligence, their social skills and their conflict resolution abilities.
Benefits of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
Research shows that the benefits of Social-Emotional Learning are extensive and amazing for the students who are involved. SEL contains five key areas which help a child become adept at responding to life’s challenges. In the same vein, it supports creating and maintaining high-quality social relationships. These key areas are;
- Self-management
- Self-awareness
- Social awareness
- Responsible decision making, and
- Relationship skills.
Students who attend schools with SEL-based programs reported improved relationships and communications with friends, families and persons around them. Subsequently, they recorded improved attendance and participation at school, while showing honest self analysis and better stress management.
Implementating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
More so, teachers and owners/managers of academic institutions should find it easy to get involved with SEL. This is because SEL-based activities can be seamlessly incorporated into schools’ existing schedule and culture. It can even be taught outside of academic learning time. According to a professional, “when you make the time to discuss these issues, you buy so much more time down the road because your students subsequently feel respected and in turn respect you”. It certainly is a win-win scenario.
These programs aren’t only for those teachers or schools who have ‘problematic’ students. Even the most laid back students can be in need of these programs and the school authorities would remain oblivious to it. Therefore, SEL is for all schools, because all students need to develop their Emotional Quotient alongside their Intelligence Quotient. This enables them grow into valuable members of society who are fully capable of applying logic and emotion to a situation as it is presented to them.
For proprietors and school boards, implementing an SEL program in your academic institution emphasizes your dedication to developing the learning child and student for a better world. Hence we would have more people with pro-people skills, conflict resolution abilities and emotional intelligence.
So, what are you waiting for? We at Adopt A Child’s Education have already joined the train and we think you should too. Join us as we support the implementation of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) based programs in our schools in a bid to developing our children’s collective emotional quotient/intelligence.
