The Role of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in Learning

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) pedagogy has inquiry at the core of learning. The programme encourages learners to inquire into transdisciplinary concepts, making them responsible, thoughtful, and displaying meaningful actions that will impact their personal, local, and global spheres of life.

The teachers aim for their learners to be observant, analyze, and question things around them. They want the learners to constantly evaluate their choices and assess their impacts, thus imbibing essential life skills such as communication and collaboration. These skills, we know, thrive on human connection and are critical to personal and professional success.

The Importance of Emotional Quotient (EQ)

This brings up some questions: Can these set skills be measured in Emotional Quotient (EQ)? How important is EQ for all students to develop their life skills and knowledge as learners?

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report highlights EQ as one of the top five skills needed to thrive in the future. Unlike Intelligence Quotient (IQ), which is static, EQ can expand with explicit teaching through daily interactions. Emotions drive people, and people drive performance.

So, can we train our children with learning experiences that foster a different kind of intelligence? The answer is yes. We can plan learning experiences that develop 'people smart' skills. Essential factors in this process include self-awareness, self-discipline, and empathy.

Humans typically take 6 seconds to respond to emotion, but if we train our children to respond correctly within this time, it will help them develop positive behavior strategies. For instance, taking a 6-second pause when stressed allows for a conscious decision on the next action or word. Our role in school is to help children understand how emotions impact learning and progress.

JBCN's Approach to Emotional Intelligence

The learner-centered curriculum at JBCN features a structured social-emotional program integrated into daily teaching and learning activities. Teachers involve learners in decision-making activities, build relationships, and celebrate learners' feelings. This helps students understand others' emotions, manage relationships more effectively, and develop compassion—essential for strong networking skills within and outside the community.

To understand how this program works, consider how emotions control actions. Every thought or feeling triggers the release of neuropeptides (hormones) from cells. Positive emotions stimulate "feel good" hormones like Serotonin and Dopamine, while negative emotions lead to stress hormones like Cortisol and Adrenaline. Recognizing the six-second gap between identifying emotions and choosing actions is key. Learners are taught that while having different emotions is fine, choosing how to act on them is up to them. Questions like "How do you feel today?" and "How would you like to feel today?" can prompt positive action.

The Value of High EQ

Emotional Quotient offers more than empathy; a person with high EQ can identify and regulate their emotions accurately and handle complex social situations to build meaningful relationships. At JBCN Oshiwara, EduCreative experiences encompass experiential, cultural, and challenging activities designed to support the personal and social development of young learners. Our academic excellence program, along with iPROPEL, facilitates the balanced and holistic Mind-Body-Soul development of our learners.

Equipped with a Master’s degree in Marine Biology, Shalaka Rao is a qualified teaching professional with over 16 years of experience in the field of education. During the course of her professional journey, Shalaka has lived mostly in two of Europe’s finest cities, Vienna (Austria) and Sofia( Bulgaria).

While in Vienna, Shalaka was working with Danube International School and has had wonderful opportunities to work with people from all around the world. Her teaching experience has helped her to look at things from the perspectives of other people with different ethnic backgrounds which is deeply valued as one of the core principles of IB philosophy.

With a strong passion to educate young minds, Shalaka is dedicated to helping them blossom into well rounded, responsible and successful individuals.