Emotional communication plays an important role in everyday life. At Palacio de Granda, we include activities linked to emotional learning, supporting each pupil’s personal development. What is emotional intelligence in children Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and express feelings. There are two distinct aspects to this learning process. On the one hand, children need to recognise their own feelings and express them assertively. On the other, it is also important for them to understand other people’s feelings and respond with empathy. The period from birth to the age of ten is particularly important, as this is when children learn to manage their emotions. Primary students begin to develop the ability to regulate their emotional responses while also showing empathy towards others as part of their social development. Emotional intelligence activities for children Reading emotions in facial expressions Understanding emotions through facial expressions is an important skill, as much of the emotional information we receive comes from non-verbal expression. Games based on showing emotions through the face or recognising other people’s feelings from facial expressions help children develop this ability. For adults, expressing emotions through facial movement often feels natural. For children, however, it is part of their learning. Through specific activities, we can help them acquire this skill and strengthen their emotional intelligence. What are you like? Values are closely connected to feelings. A very positive exercise is to define ourselves through our own personal qualities. Reflecting on personal qualities helps strengthen self-esteem and also encourages children to appreciate the qualities of others. For a child, this means becoming more aware of their own personality and the values that make them unique. This activity can be carried out by identifying a positive quality beginning with each letter of the child’s name. In this way, the child becomes aware that adults recognise and value their qualities. Positive and negative feelings Emotional intelligence is not about encouraging positive emotions while hiding negative ones. The aim is to help children manage emotions appropriately, so they can express negative feelings in a healthy way. Making a list of positive and negative feelings helps children tell them apart. It is important for children to express what each emotion suggests to them, understand its meaning and connect it with specific situations. Put yourself in their shoes Alongside managing their own feelings, emotional intelligence also involves understanding the feelings of others. Empathy is the ability to put ourselves in another person’s place, so games in which children analyse other people’s emotions are very useful for encouraging empathetic values. The aim is for children to recognise an emotion in another person and be able to see things from their perspective. Stories about emotions Today, there are many children’s stories built around emotions. These stories help children begin to see emotions as a natural part of life, with a real place in their everyday experiences. Many of these stories do more than tell a narrative. They also include sections where readers can take part by expressing their own feelings or analysing those of the characters. The emoticon game Emoticons are graphic representations of feelings. Through emoticons, we can encourage younger children to express themselves or identify emotions. One advantage of using emoticons is that they are familiar elements children may see in daily life. This makes it helpful for them to learn how to connect emoticons with real emotions and use them as a way to express how they feel. How would you feel if…? Emotional intelligence helps children prepare for situations that require a response. How would you feel if you arrived home and nobody was there? How would you feel if you could not go back to school? How would you feel if you could celebrate your birthday whenever you wanted? These questions are linked to emotions that children should learn to recognise, and they can be explored through games.
