Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Andrea. Andrea Wonders, “What is emotional intelligence?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Andrea!

Are you intelligent? We bet you are! All our Wonder Friends are skilled and talented in one area or another. But did you know there is more than one type of intelligence? It’s true—in fact, today’s Wonder of the Day is all about emotional intelligence!

Emotional intelligence is also called EQ. It’s the ability to understand and manage your own emotions. Emotionally intelligent people are also able to apply that understanding to the world around them. 

Can emotional intelligence be learned? Most experts think so. Often, this starts in childhood. Family members, teachers, and other adults help kids start to build their EQ. Improving EQ usually continues into adulthood.

The term “emotional intelligence” is fairly new. It’s only been in use since the 1990s! Psychologist Daniel Goleman was the first to use the phrase. He wrote a book called “Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ.”

In his book, Goleman pointed out five components of EQ. The first one is self-awareness. Those with a high EQ are aware of their own emotions. They are also able to regulate those feelings. This means they know how to cope with difficult emotions.

The third characteristic is motivation. People with a high EQ are driven to do their best to reach their goals. They also have empathy. That means they relate to others and show them compassion. Finally, EQ is marked by strong social skills. Emotionally intelligent people are often able to interact well with others.

Are there any benefits to developing emotional intelligence? Experts say yes. People with high EQ are often great listeners and problem solvers. They are also less judgmental of others and more able to learn and move on from their mistakes. Many also believe that EQ is linked to higher rates of happiness.

Are you interested in developing your emotional intelligence? There are plenty of ways to do so. One great place to start is by paying attention to your own emotions. When you feel happy, angry, or sad, try to understand why. Then, pay attention to how the feeling affects you. This can help you learn more about yourself and others.

People can also build their EQ by practicing various ways of managing their emotions. Think about the last time you felt angry or sad. What helped you feel better? Maybe going for a walk, playing a game, or breathing deeply helped. These are all good ways to manage difficult feelings.

Listening to others is another great way to build EQ. Pay attention to what other people are going through, and try to put yourself in their position. Imagine how you would feel if you were them. This is one way to develop empathy for others.

Do you have emotional intelligence? EQ is something that most people continue developing their entire lives. If you’re looking for ways to improve your EQ, ask a trusted adult for help.

Standards: CCRA.R.4, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.L1, CCRA.W.3, CCRA.SL.4, CCRA.L.2, CCRA.L.5

Wonder What's Next?

We’ve got a dozen reasons why you should visit Wonderopolis tomorrow!