The Development of Emotional Intelligence in Children

Abstract

Unlike cognitive intelligence, which remains unchanged during our lifetime, emotional intelligence and its parts can be grown through education and exercises. Emotional intelligence allows for a better balance in dealing with children. Exercising emotional restraint is better than allowing emotions overflow. In an attempt to develop emotional intelligence, the research used the RME emotional intelligence test followed by interventions through game play and story telling, over a period of four weeks, three times a week, totalling 12 interventions. Each intervention consisted of an aimed specific story followed by a game. At the end I conducted the RME test. The research sampled a total of 60 pupils, 28 girls and 32 boys aged 7 to11 in a three stage manner: pre-test, intervention and post-test. We identified significant differences between the initial and final stages confirming the intervention has been successful. This proves a well-designed program can develop emotional intelligence.