Can Emotional Intelligence Be Taught?
If everybody knows that test scores and grades aren’t the keys to success, how do we teach, and measure, the things that are?
The New York Times released an article this past week entitled Can Emotional Intelligence Be Taught? It’s a great read that I wanted to comment on. The article states that while prevention programs tend to focus on a single problem, the goal of social-emotional learning is grander: to instill a deep psychological intelligence that will help children regulate their emotions. For children, school is an emotional cauldron: a constant stream of academic and social challenges that can generate feelings ranging from loneliness to euphoria. Educators and parents have long assumed that a child’s ability to cope with such stresses is either innate (a matter of temperament) or else acquired “along the way” – something that they stumble upon out of ordinary interaction. But in practice, many children never develop those crucial skills. As stated in the article, “It’s like saying that a child doesn’t need to study English because she talks with her parents at home.”
As a Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist, I cannot agree more. Strong emotions do affect memory and attention as well as motivation to study. However, at times it is difficult to differentiate what comes first: emotional intelligence or cognitive intelligence. Children who have delays in the development of the frontal lobes of their brains may have difficulty with emotional control and self-regulation. On the other hand, children’s behavioral issues, low attention, and ability to learn new material often mask depression or other emotional problems. Because children do not have enough experience to know their bodies and mind, they may complain or express concerns verbally or non-verbally in very different way than adults, which may make the job of parents and educators quite difficult. That is why I always suggest to conduct a Comprehensive Psychoeducational Assessment to learn about the child’s cognitive and emotional profiles in order to tailor a program that is best suited for their development needs.
– Dr. Irina Valentin