Emotional Intelligence Leads to Success

In the article, “Should Emotions Be Taught in Schools?” written by Grace Rubenstein was posted February 10, 2017, on Ideas.ted.com. The article discusses the value of students being taught about their emotions in schools. It explains how this is accomplished. The main point of this article discusses how children being aware of their emotions will have a positive impact for them. What is emotional intelligence (EI)? Dr. Daniel Goleman, a psychologist explains “Emotional intelligence refers to how well we handle ourselves and our relationships.” After further research of my own, I learned how being aware of our emotions will have a positive effect on ourselves. In the article, it states children that are taught about their emotions will be more successful in school, have better relationships and will have less episodes of poor behavior.

I could imagine myself as a child, if emotional awareness was taught in school, the kind of impact that it would have on my learning not only for the required classes but also emotionally, building character. Building self-awareness, being mindful of our feelings will increase personal confidence and lead to acceptance of ourselves. I believe that that having increased awareness of your feelings especially at an early age will build self-esteem, leading to more success in school.

I recall being bombarded with an array of feelings as a child, having to discover their meaning through trial and error. How much easier it would have made things if emotions were taught to me in my childhood school days. I remember a childhood friend of mine telling me, “Make sure you think about what you have to say before speaking.” That concept has always stayed with me throughout life, Not knowing then but reflecting on that situating now; I believe that was a way of thinking of my own feelings. This practice led to creating healthier relationships for me.

Dealing with emotions as a child can be difficult, especially without any guidance. Imagine a group of children, experiencing emotions not being able to identify what they are feeling or why they are feeling the way they are. Like clouds in the sky growing bigger and darker until it turns into a thunderstorm. After it rains fall, the sky begins to clear with the sun shining. I believe this symbolizes how children without EI tend to handle their feelings inappropriately which can lead to unhealthy behaviors.

How can emotions be taught to children in schools? The article mentions how some schools in the states and abroad have already implemented a program called RULER, developed in 2005 by Marc Brackett, David Caruso and Robin Stern of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. The author, Rubenstein explains that the name, “RULER, is an acronym for its five goals: recognizing emotions, understanding the causes and consequences of emotions, expressing and regulating emotions to promote growth.” I believe that the writer makes an excellent point, children should be taught about their emotions in schools.

Watch as Dr. Daniel Goleman Introduce Emotional Intelligence

In closing, the article states children that are taught about their emotions will be more successful in school, have better relationships and will have less episodes of poor behavior. I believe having a program such as the RULER in all schools would increase children’s EI, developing self-awareness will lead to their current and ongoing successes in the future. In addition, it would build a foundation and teach them skills for their own children. We can all benefit from being emotional intelligence leading towards a better future for us all.

Works Cited

Goleman, Daniel. “Emotional Intelligence: What It Is and Do Men or Women Have More of It.” Big Think, Freethink Media, Inc., 30 Sept. 2021, https://bigthink.com/videos/daniel-goleman-introduces-emotional-intelligence/.

Rubenstein, Grace. “Should Emotions Be Taught in Schools?” Ideas.ted.com, 10 Feb. 2017, https://ideas.ted.com/should-emotions-be-taught-in-schools/.