 An exceptional educational environment begins with a vision that the most powerful and meaningful learning occurs when thinking and feeling are fused together. To turn the vision into practice takes strong leadership pursuing three key goals.
- Objective One: Integrating EQ into the Classroom -- Teachers use the principles and practices of Self-Science in daily instruction; they fuse affective and cognitive development because they recognize that we teach children and individuals, not subjects and content areas. Questions and assignments are geared to engage emotion as well as cognition, and classroom management becomes collaborative and inclusive.
- Objective Two: Teaching EQ Skills through Self-Science -- At least once a week, students participate in a Self-Science class that provides both specific skill-based instruction and a forum for social problem-solving, conflict resolution, leadership, and personal development. The program teaches skills in a framework that combines affective and cognitive goals through experiential learning; it is not therapy and does not replace counseling or crisis intervention for the resolution of long-standing problem behaviors.
- Objective Three: Enhancing a School-Wide Culture -- Emotional intelligence principles are spread throughout the school culture. There is a heightened awareness; increased focus on emotions; recognition that EQ is important; use of emotion vocabulary; agreements about communication; respectful classroom management and discipline policies; shared decision-making; and unifying themes and rituals. The school is a safe, inclusive environment where children and adults learn together.
Full-scale implementation requires the participation of teachers, administrators, parents, students, community members, and supporting allies like Six Seconds – the nonprofit organization that publishes Self-Science. A comprehensive implementation will work toward the three key goals in a 2-5 year timeline.
Emotional intelligence (EQ) increases achievement, motivation, optimism, joy, and purpose, while decreasing violence, depression, and isolation. These interpersonal and intrapersonal skills are critical to all learning. In fact, an optimal learning environment will fuse the cognitive and emotional skill development in a context that is inclusive and supportive, and also activates prior knowledge. By combining emotional intelligence concepts with brain-compatible teaching pedagogy, Six Seconds delivers a unique, potent, and personally meaningful program.
Comprehensive School Program Goals:
- Provide tools to children and adults for long-term success.
- Increase emotionally intelligent behavior, including empathy, direct/effective communication, and inclusion.
- Prevent “risk factors,” including violence, negative conflict, addiction, and under achievement.
- Create a learning environment that arouses and sustains children's curiosity and intrinsic motivation to build a context where high achievement is valuable and enjoyable.
- Increase awareness of interdependence, personal responsibility for choices, and consequential thinking.
- Transfer EQ skills into academic subjects to increase performance, achievement, critical thinking, and creative thinking.
Self-Science -- so named because emotional intelligence grows from the study of ourselves and our relationships -- is one of the few comprehensive, developmental, and research-based curricula for creating a school-wide culture of emotional intelligence. The Self-Science program creates a fundamental shift in the structure of the school toward collaboration, inclusions, and humanism.
Six Seconds delivers a comprehensive program for schools to integrate emotional intelligence into the classroom and the school culture. A systematic approach to school improvement, this program includes staff development, curriculum, and processes for communication.
When your school is ready to focus on emotional intelligence, please call Six Seconds at (650) 685-9885
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