Last year, an 11-year-old boy made headlines in the UK when he scored 162 in a MENSA IQ test. According to a number of news outlets, he outscored the late theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, and even Albert Einstein himself.
Such scores are indicative of a child’s capability to understand and learn advanced concepts; a measure of what we would call “genius”. However, being a genius is just half of the equation. Ideally, a high Intelligence Quotient (IQ) needs to be complemented with Emotional Intelligence, or as it’s more popularly known, Emotional Quotient (EQ).
“Academically speaking, the ability to retain and apply information can be tested and tracked through schoolwork, but grades are only one aspect of a student’s development,” noted Sandy Arellano, who has a Masters Degree in Education and is passionate about integrated learning. “Students need real-life social skills that are adaptable and constructive, and will allow them to use their knowledge in a big-picture manner to benefit others,” she added.
EQ, in a nutshell, is a person’s ability to recognize their emotions, whether of others or their own, and how it affects themselves and others. Arellano, who is also the principal of the Montessori De San Juan school (MDS), further added that “combining IQ with EQ will create a very well-rounded individual. Character building must go hand-in-hand with intellectual growth.”
Individuals with high EQ are more sensitive to how others feel (either as individuals or within a group setting), better at regulating their behavior, and work better within a team. While these skills are undoubtedly useful in daily social interactions, they can also be used to improve critical thinking, systems thinking/learning, and public engagement skills.
Accordingly, schools like MDS offer EQ-centric short course such as personality development, etiquette, problem solving and decision making, and communications to students. Those who need more focused instruction, especially professionals, may also improve their EQ and systems thinking knowledge with courses on business writing, effective presentations, and basic leadership.
For more information on the EQ and Systems Learning courses in Montessori De San Juan, you may contact 725-6306 or 239-1102, or visit montessoridesanjuan.com.ph