The Emotional education in children It is fundamental for them to be motivated, interested and involved to be in school and Take advantage of everything the school can offer.
They need to know how to focus their attention on studies, even when they have quarreled with a partner, learn to work with others Students and be good communicators and resolve.
These skills are critical to developing and succeeding not only in school but in all walks of life.
Why is emotional education important?
According to research carried out worldwide by The Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations
" The success of people is due to 23% to our intellectual abilities, and 77% to our emotional abilities. Throughout life, greater self-esteem, better ability to manage disturbing emotions, greater sensitivity to the emotions of others, and better interpersonal skills are essential, and, as Daniel Goleman and Linda Lantieri point out, all these Build in childhood."
In recent years, numerous studies have come to light providing this way of educating children from an emotional and social perspective. Are the Called non-cognitive skills such as self-control, persistence, and self-awareness.
Owning these skills is a greater predictor of success and happiness in life than academic results.
Along these lines, a program of Emotional and Social Learning (SEL) Which could be complemented by the Standard academic education.
Emotional and social learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitude and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, achieve goals, feel and demonstrate empathy towards others , Establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions.
Numerous studies explore the long-term benefits that can be gained through emotional and social learning programs.
In one of the investigations they examined how the SEL applied to children of primary education has an impact in its adult stage since, with respect to the group Control, developed 10% fewer psychological, behavioral and drug abuse problems by the age of 25 ( Dodge et al., 2014 ).
Another study demonstrates how the promotion of prosocial skills (kindness, cooperation and empathy) to primary school children correlates in a way With greater academic achievement, better professionalism and better mental health; In addition to less conflict activity and drug abuse ( Jones, Greenberg, & Crowley, 2015 ).
A study conducted in 2011 using a sample of 17,000 British children found that the level of mental well-being in children correlates very Significantly with success in the future.
Other studies show that children who develop these skills not only succeed more in the workplace, but also have a More durable marriage and suffer less depression Y anxiety . Some evidence shows that they also tend to be physically healthier.
In a study published to this effect, the group of students who had received an emotional and social education program during the early years Of schooling, at age 18, had 30% fewer incidents in school due to behavior problems, 20% less violence and Delinquency and 40% less alcohol abuse.
Given the results, I think it is important that both parents and teachers strive to educate children and teach them how to manage and social skills And emotional.
5 Keys to Emotional Education in Children
1-Fosters self-awareness
It is the ability to identify emotions, thoughts and their influence on behavior. This is one of the most difficult things for people young. Knowing what they feel, awareness about their body, the impact of their words on others.
In order to develop this ability, we must carry out a reflection work that can be done through meditation , Write a diary or communicate With trusted people.
Developing self-awareness develop the ability to recognize their own emotions, describe their interests and values to be able to go for them, and Develop self-confidence And self-awareness.
Make a list of words that reflect feelings or emotions with your children, and become an"emotion coach"motivating your children to Expressing your feelings, can be a good way to develop self-awareness.
Also emphasize your child's strengths, before considering other aspects could be improved.
Students who have greater self-awareness and self-confidence have greater persistence in coping with challenges (Aronson, 2002; Durlak et al., 2011).
2-Develop self-management
The skills that are part of Goleman's self-management are: emotional self-control, flexibility, optimism , Achievement of goals and initiative .
They have to be educated to be able to Manage Your Own Stress , Control impulses And have perseverance in the face of obstacles.
Sometimes it is okay for us to get carried away by emotions, especially when they are positive, such as getting a good grade on an exam. But We must go more carefully when anger or anger floods us, because if we let ourselves be carried by them without any control, the consequences Could be disastrous.
Emotional intelligence suggests that it is important to be aware of all our emotions because it is when we are aware and we identify them, When we can choose how to respond and how to express those emotions.
For those children or young people with To deal with rabies Or anger and do not know how to resolve conflicts, can be offered Tools such as breathing exercises, counting to five or momentarily leaving the place.
Students who set good academic goals, who have Self-discipline , Motivate themselves and manage their stress, have greater (Duckworth & Seligman, 2005; Elliot & Dweck, 2005; cited in Durlak et al., 2011).
3-Generates social awareness
It is the ability to take perspective and empathize with others, recognizing and respecting diversity and individual and group differences.
To develop social awareness:
Improves listening skills.
Pay attention to interactions with other people. Watch what they say, how they say it and what they do.
Pay attention to the emotions that other people feel.
Think before you respond and express a clear answer.
To develop the social conscience it is very useful that they carry out social work and activities that have to do with matters of justice Social.
Role-playing is a good way to put yourself in the shoes of other people and develop empathy.
4-Power relationship skills
It is the ability to establish and maintain healthy and satisfying relationships with different people and groups. This includes effective communication, Active listening, cooperation, withstanding social pressure, managing conflicts and offering help when needed.
It's a skill that takes a lifetime. You may not need to know how to calculate tomorrow, but you do need to know how to treat people both in a Work sense as with your life partner.
Students can learn cooperation and teamwork Through team sports and games.
At class meetings, students can practice group decision making and rule making.
Empowering self-awareness, self-regulation and social awareness consistently enhances relationship skills.
5-Stimulates decision-making
It is the ability to take decisions Constructs on behavior and social interactions according to ethical standards, standards Social, good sense, and that bring well-being to oneself and to others.
You can stimulate by giving choices to your children, ask them what they can do to help solve a problem, and help them identify Advantages and disadvantages of different solutions.
Do not constantly make decisions for them. They themselves must be able to analyze the consequences, make a decision based on them and be Persistent in the decision chosen to carry it out.
Students who Problem solving skills Overcome obstacles and make responsible decisions, Academic performance (Zins & Elias, 2006; cited in Durlak et al., 2011).
What can parents do to enhance these skills in children?
Name the emotions you have. If you are angry or sad and cry, express aloud the feeling you are having so your child can identify what you are Feeling.
Uses a rich emotional vocabulary. Emotions are not only sad and contented. There are many other emotions that describe what we feel. The emotional world is complex and your child You must know how to put words into your feelings.
Validate your child's feelings. If your child is frustrated because, for example, you have not been able to go to the park, validate the feeling you are having instead of ignoring it "I understand that you feel frustrated that you could not go to the park, you have a reasonable feeling."
Teach her empathy. Talk about understanding and empathy toward others. Do it with others so that I can have you as a model.
Help her understand different points of view. If your child comes home angry because at school he has argued with his friend, take some time to talk to him about the conflict. Valid The emotion he is feeling and help him understand how to see his friend and how he has been able to feel.
Be an effective model of communication. Use at home, with your child and your partner, an effective communication, in which you express from the calm things that bother you without Need to scream or insult. The model your child sees at home is the one he will imitate in relationships with others.
Results of SEL application in schools in the United States:
Increased self-awareness and self-awareness
Increased ability to relax the body and release physical tension
It improves the attention and concentration capacity fundamental to a good learning.
Greater effectiveness in coping with stress situations.
Greater control over thoughts.
Greater opportunities to deepen communication and understanding between teacher-pupil-parents, because the thoughts and
Feelings are shared regularly.Increased values of empathy, cooperation and solidarity.
Excellent results in reading, writing and mathematics ( Source: CASEL - Collaboration for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning).
The SEL program has been applied in recent years to several schools in Spain. The results are still to be evaluated, but Promising
The implementation of the program of emotional and social learning in schools has been very successful in the countries in which it has been implemented. We are at The expectation that it will be implemented in other countries, and that it will be given the importance of the emotional skills that, as I said to the Beginning of this article, represent 77% of people's success.
In addition to its application in schools, it is important that parents try to encourage and develop these skills at home.
Pascal wrote over 300 years ago that "Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come." And emotional and social education is an idea Whose time has already come.
And finally, a reflection: "Men always forget that human happiness is a disposition of the mind and not a condition of circumstances" J. LocKe.