12 Essential Skills To Increase Emotional Quotient

Emotional Quotient (E. Q.) is a complex, multifaceted entity that consists of a number of skills that can be learned. This is different from I.Q. which is generally measured by standardized intelligence tests and results in a fixed number. E.Q., with instruction, can be raised. Mrs. Ruby's Life Lessons For Kids addresses this issue by presenting children with twelve essential skills that will help increase their E. Q. The foundations for the lessons in the book focus on the five categories of emotional literacy: recognizing feeling states in oneself, recognizing feeling states in others, managing one’s own feelings, responding appropriately to the feelings of others, and motivating oneself. Each lesson focuses on a single topic which is presented through the eyes of an elementary school teacher, Mrs. Ruby. She examples the lesson through a story which is read to the students. Each story is followed by discussion questions and activities which can be used as follow up to further personalize the topic of the lesson. This book is an essential for any educator, youth leader, or parent who wants children to know twelve important things needed to get along at school and in life.

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TOPICS: Social skills, emotional quotient, life skills

INCLUDES: 12 lessons, discussion questions, reproducible activity sheets

GRADE LEVELS: 3-5/AGES: 8-10

AUTHOR: Joan Zientak

RECOMMENDED FOR: Elementary-school teachers, elementary-school counselors, at-risk personnel, youth leaders

144 pages black/white illustrations paperback

RESEARCH BASED INFORMATION FOR MRS. RUBY’S LIFE LESSONS FOR KIDS

A Research-Based Program on Emotional Quotient

The author is a marital and family therapist in private practice in Illinois. Her research for this program is based on research by Peter Salovey, PhD. which states that a child’s ability to handle frustration, manage impulses, and get along with others are far more accurate indicators of success in life than good grades and high test scores. Also cited is Daniel P. Goleman, PhD. who states that the skills which enhance a child’s E.Q. fall into five categories:

1. Recognizing feeling states in self

2. Recognizing feeling states in others

3. Managing one’s own feelings

4. Responding appropriately to the feelings of others

5. Motivating oneself

In addition she relates the importance of teaching children to control feelings based on neuroimaging and other brain research techniques.

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ASCA STANDARDS FOR MRS. RUBY’S LIFE LESSONS FOR KIDS

PERSONAL/SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Standard A: Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.

PS:A1 Acquire Self-Knowledge

PS:A1.1 Develop positive attitudes toward self as a unique and worthy person

PS:A1.2 Identify values, attitudes and beliefs

PS:A1.3 Learn the goal-setting process

PS:A1.4 Understand change is a part of growth

PS:A1.5 Identify and express feelings

PS:A1.6 Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behavior

PS:A1.7 Recognize personal boundaries, rights and privacy needs

PS:A1.8 Understand the need for self-control and how to practice it

PS:A1.9 Demonstrate cooperative behavior in groups

PS:A1.10 Identify personal strengths and assets

PS:A1.11 Identify and discuss changing personal and social roles

PS:A2 Acquire Interpersonal Skills

PS:A2.1 Recognize that everyone has rights and responsibilities

PS:A2.2 Respect alternative points of view

PS:A2.3 Recognize, accept, respect and appreciate individual differences

PS:A2.6 Use effective communications skills

PS:A2.7 Know that communication involves speaking, listening and nonverbal behavior

PS:A2.8 Learn how to make and keep friends

Standard B: Students will make decisions, set goals and take necessary action to achieve goals.

PS:B1 Self-Knowledge Application

PS:B1.1 Use a decision-making and problem-solving model

PS:B1.2 Understand consequences of decisions and choices

PS:B1.3 Identify alternative solutions to a problem

PS:B1.4 Develop effective coping skills for dealing with problems

PS:B1.5 Demonstrate when, where and how to seek help for solving problems and making decisions

PS:B1.6 Know how to apply conflict resolution skills

PS:B1.8 Know when peer pressure is influencing a decision

PS:B1.10 Identify alternative ways of achieving goals

PS:B1.11 Use persistence and perseverance in acquiring knowledge and skills PS:B1.12 Develop an action plan to set and achieve realistic goals

Standard C: Students will understand safety and survival skills.

PS:C1 Acquire Personal Safety Skills

PS:C1.7 Apply effective problem-solving and decision-making skills to make safe and healthy choices

PS:C1.9 Learn how to cope with peer pressure

PS:C1.10 Learn techniques for managing stress and conflict

PS:C1.11 Learn coping skills for managing life events

American School Counselor Association (2004). ASCA National Standards for Students. Alexandria, VA: Copyright 2004 by the American School Counselor Association

MRS. RUBY’S LIFE LESSONS FOR KIDS © 2001 MARCO PRODUCTS, INC. 1443 OLD YORK ROAD, WARMINSTER, PA 18974