The EQ Factor

Emotions are just as important as intelligence. In this article, the author discusses how emotional intelligence can be measured and why it is important to focus on helping students develop those emotions. In the article, there was an example that caught my attention that involved a hiker walking along a path. As he looks down, he notices a curved line on the ground and jumps up thinking that it is a snake. Much to his relief, it was only a stick. Despite the fact that the stick was harmless, the emotion of fear kick-started his survival instinct. While reading, I thought about the Pixar movie Inside Out. The five core emotions, fear, joy, anger, disgust, and sadness, help the main character survive emotionally and physically. The author writes “Without these emotional reflexes,. . . we would scarcely be able to function.” The important message though from the article, is how a teacher can help students be more self-aware of their own emotions. It is important to create an environment that fosters openness and allows students to feel at ease. This way they can successfully be in control and better understand their own feelings.