Churchie continues to partner with Professor Con Stough and Ms Justine Lomas from the Emotional Intelligence (EI) Research Unit at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, in the development of EI programs tailored for its youngest boys.
According to Churchie, emotions affect how we learn. The ability to express, regulate and understand one’s own and others emotions is linked to strong social skills and experiencing success at school.
For several years, Churchie has continued the development of emotional competencies for boys and young men. Together with Swinburne University, Churchie has developed the Emotional Intelligence in Schools: Foundations Development Programme. Boys from Year 1 engage in a number of lessons designed to introduce them to thinking and talking about emotions. By talking about what emotions are and how emotions work, boys can begin to manage their own experience of strong emotions.
Boys who are competent at expressing, regulating and understanding emotions tend to be better at problem solving, paying attention and maintaining concentration. They tend to connect easily with their peers, are popular classmates and have more friends. Additionally, these emotionally capable boys tend to have better relationships with their teachers. Boys who are more skilled at managing and regulating their emotions are also more likely to be in a better position to cope with any stress or anxiety that may arise and create distraction in the classroom of the playground. These boys are more resilient.
Consistent with Churchie’s mission of educating well-rounded young men of good character, strong intellect and generosity of spirit, the continued development of emotional intelligence interventions will have great potential for both academic and personal growth.
Image: Year 1 students working together to identify emotions