Developing students’ emotional intelligence

"<< Background >>The EQstudents project tackled the lack of structured emotional intelligence education in primary and lower-secondary schools, uniting seven EU partners from five countries. It combined expertise in neuroscience, game development, psychometry, therapy and education to create innovative teaching tools. Recognized by the EU’s 2018 report, the project addressed gaps in emotional education across Europe, especially in Poland. It aligned with the EU’s 2013 Recommendation on Investing in Children, fostering inclusive, high-quality learning environments.With the rise of AI, EI is a key workforce skill, as 74% of executives predict its necessity. The project developed, tested, and implemented a comprehensive EI system based on Daniel Goleman's concept (EI as a skill which can be taught at an early stage) for students aged 6–15, actively involving schools, parents, and experts. By promoting collaboration between educators and families, it aimed to build an emotionally intelligent generation and highlight EI’s importance in education, careers, family relationships and society.<< Objectives >>The EQstudents project aimed to enhance the emotional intelligence (EI) of children and adolescents by developing, testing, and implementing a comprehensive EI support system with active participation from schools, parents, experts, and partners. It sought to equip the education community to raise an emotionally intelligent generation.The project focused on:- Developing and implementing EI education for children aged 6–15- Training teachers and specialists in EI education- Supporting parents in raising emotionally intelligent children- Protecting vulnerable children from the effects of the pandemic- Strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation to drive innovation in education - Promoting inclusive education, ensuring equal access to free resources- Integrating EI components into national curricula- Fostering emotionally intelligent generations in the long runAligned with the needs of PL, CY, IT, GR, and RO, the project responded to EU recommendations, enhancing education systems to break the cycle of disadvantage and support students’ emotional well-being. It also raised awareness in local communities about the importance of EI development from an early age.<< Implementation >>The activities include:Management:- daily project & budget management- signing contracts with the project partners- creating Management and Financial Plan, Quality and Evaluation Plan, Promotion and Dissemination Plan- creating Steering Committee, Internal Quality Board & the project team- developing and controlling project schedule- 5 TPMs- 25 online project meetings- regular communication via emails- quality assurance activities- regular reporting (management: progress & financial, quality and promotion) – 6 reporting periods- reporting to the NA.Outcomes:- design, development, testing & implementation of the project results (PR1-PR5) with active involvement of end-users (primary school, school specialists, psychologists, pedagogues, teachers, students)- standarization procedure for PR3 (3604 students participating)- pilot testing of the PR4 (249 parents and 497 teachers registered to the platform and answered the feedback forms)- pilot testing of the PR5 (58 teachers, 471 students (529 participants) provided their answers while in the game 853 users were registered)- fine-tuning and translation of the resultsPromotion & dissemination:- design and management of the project logo and visual identity- design and management of the website & social media (website: https://eqstudents.eu/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/EQstudents/100083474255816/ (227 followers), Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eqstudents/)- network of EQ schools participating in the project activities and published on the project website (12 schools from Cyprus, 34 schools from Poland, 3 schools from Italy, 4 schools from Greece, 2 schools from Romania)- 56 profiles of EQambassadors on the project website- promotional campaigns (social media campaigns, workshops, emailing, promotion through local and international events)- 5 Multiplier Events, 219 participants - Exploitation strategy of the project results- distribution of project poster, 3 newsletters & brochure- 6 issues of the comic book for children- networking- etwinning publications.Training activity:- C1 training ""EQSchool – boosting emotional intelligence"" and 12 participants attending physically and 1 online<< Results >>5 main results were developed, tested, translated and implemented:PR1/ The EQ Kids model provides structured processes, tools, and guidelines for enhancing emotional intelligence (EI) in children aged 6-10, particularly those facing adaptation challenges. It involves educators, specialists, and parents to support growth at school and home. Model Structure: Part1 - Theoretical Insights – covers EI dimensions (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management), the impact of structured training, and a systemic approach to behavioral challenges. Part 2 - Practical Application – offers techniques, exercises, and structured programs for EI development: - Short classroom activities for teachers for every-day lessons; - One-on-one program (18 sessions of 50 min.) for school specialists; - Group/class program (18 sessions of 45-50 min.) for school specialists/ teachers. - Workshops with parents (5 sessions of 90 min.) It includes also the best practices.PR2/ The EQ Teens model presents a comprehensive framework on how to work with adolescents and how to support them towards the development of their emotional intelligence (EI). It is addressed to school personnel: teachers, tutors, counsellors, school pedagogues, psychologists, socio-therapists but also to parents and members of the community involved in education of the teenagers. Model Structure: Part1 - Theoretical Insights – covers EI dimensions (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management), the impact of structured training, and a systemic approach to behavioral challenges. Part 2 - Practical Application – offers techniques, exercises, and structured programs for EI development of teenagers: - Short classroom activities for teachers for every-day lessons; - One-on-one program (18 sessions of 50 min.) for school specialists; - Group/class program (18 sessions of 45-50 min.) for school specialists/ teachers. - Best practices.PR3/ The EQ Teens Test is a psychometric, electronic tool designed to assess the emotional intelligence of adolescents aged 11-15. Based on Daniel Goleman’s concept of emotional intelligence, it evaluates its four key components: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. After the assessment, the tool generates an automatic report detailing the levels of each emotional intelligence dimension, along with tailored recommendations for teachers and parents. Developed using rigorous psychometric procedures, the questionnaire is accurate, reliable, standardized, and objective. The tool comes with a comprehensive Manual. Link to the tool: https://eqstudents.eu/tool/ PR4/ An e-learning platform for teachers and parents, featuring learning units, videos and exercises on emotional intelligence. Designed for self-paced learning, it equips users with practical strategies to nurture EI in children aged 6-15. Platform Structure: •For Teachers & Specialists: Covers Scientific insights on EI; Core components and characteristics of EI; Building student engagement through relationships; Understanding and managing difficult emotions; Benefits of EI in teaching and learning; Practical applications in the classroom •For Parents: Understanding your child's emotions; Nurturing EI at home; Building strong parent-child relationships; Managing difficult emotions within the family; Family-based emotional development strategies. Interactive units, study materials, and flexible navigation ensure an engaging learning experience. PR5/ EQstudents is a hybrid game designed to develop emotional intelligence in teenagers (11-15) through the four key dimensions: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. It features 12 physical and 12 virtual interactive activities, allowing players to practice e.g. adaptability, communication, empathy, problem-solving, and conflict resolution—essential skills for personal and future professional growth. The game is available as a downloadable app for desktops, tablets, and mobiles, supported by a web platform where teachers can moderate and facilitate activities. Designed for classroom use, it enables students to complete tasks both digitally and in group settings. A teacher’s manual, detailed instructions, and supporting materials for physical activities are provided on the platform to guide implementation. In addition, User's guide is available."