Developing Emotional Intelligence

Originally published in the Ukrainian educational journal Palitra Pedagoga (2019, №5).

Author: Nataliia Kovalenko (now Prokopchik), early childhood educator and lecturer in culinary creativity.

Key Insights

• Emotional intelligence is as vital as knowledge and underpins future success.

• Drawing on H. Gardner’s ideas, it includes intrapersonal skills (self-awareness, reflection, self-control, motivation) and interpersonal skills (empathy, tolerance, communication).

• Children cultivate these qualities only in warm, accepting interaction with adults.

• Emotionally mature adults take responsibility for their feelings, respect boundaries, avoid rigid judgments, and can manage emotions constructively.

• A practical example: the “I Am Different” photo project, where photographing children’s emotions and playing reflective games foster empathy, self-awareness, and resilience.

Quote

“Awareness of the value of emotional intelligence and working on its development is an opportunity to discover yourself, to find yourself in interaction with a child and with others, and to give yourself the chance to be truly happy. Next to a happy and emotionally mature adult, a child will always feel safe while walking their own path — a path toward developing emotional intelligence, and thus toward life success.”