From Classroom to Character: The Impact of Irene's Emotional Intelligence Approach To?Children

It was a sunny afternoon in the city of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The sun was shining, and the distant hum of cars filled the air as I sipped my black coffee at the Family Bean Cafe. I gazed at the cover of my debut book , Leadership and Growth. I had arrived nearly ten minutes early, anticipating a meeting with someone I was eager to learn from, Irene Fugara. It wasn't long before she joined me at the table. But before delving further, let's briefly introduce Irene Fugara.

Irene Fugara serves as the Executive Director of the NGO known as Bright Jamii Initiative, dedicated to empowering children through social-emotional learning. Notably, the organization is a strong advocate for the abolition of corporal punishment in schools. Irene, a professional lawyer and the founder of the Bright Jamii Initiative has collaborated with local and international organizations, governments, schools, and parents to foster comprehensive growth in children across all aspects of their lives.

As a leadership consultant, I am particularly intrigued by the realm of emotional intelligence. Encountering someone with a similar focus, especially when it pertains to children, has piqued my curiosity. I am eager to delve deeper into the subject of how emotional intelligence, when nurtured in children, can contribute to their holistic growth and pave the way for them to become effective leaders from their formative years into the future.

In our discussion, Irene shared with me the extensive process that BJI employs to cultivate emotional intelligence skills in children. It hasn't been without its challenges, particularly when dealing with parents who place exclusive emphasis on academic achievement. Nevertheless, BJI persists in providing transformative in-house training programs for children, yielding powerful results. Remarkably, some parents who initially resisted enrolling their children have now embraced these programs and are actively encouraging their children to participate. As we continued with the discussion, I wanted to explore more of the ways emotional intelligence for kids is different from emotional intelligence for adults.

Emotional intelligence for kids is essential because it sets the foundation for their career and life success in the future. The components of EI for kids are the same as for adults, which are: emotional recognition, empathy, emotional expression, emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, social awareness, problem-solving, and resilience. Though the elements are the same, the extent of the skills associated with emotional intelligence (EQ) in children can differ significantly from those in adults due to developmental stages and life experiences.

As a parent or a teacher, do you know how valuable emotional intelligence is for your child?

In my experience, the prevailing belief among most parents centers on academic excellence and exam success as the sole measure of their children's accomplishments. They tend to prioritize grades and numerical achievements while inadvertently overlooking a crucial aspect of their children's development: character growth. Although academic pursuits hold undeniable significance, I invite parents to take a moment for introspection.

Consider this: What if your child demonstrates exceptional academic prowess but engages in dishonest behavior? What if your child excels in mathematics with top grades yet struggles to collaborate effectively with peers? What if your child possesses the brilliance of a physicist like Albert Einstein but lacks fundamental interpersonal communication skills? These questions underscore the importance of a holistic approach to parenting.

In my capacity as a civil engineer with extensive experience across diverse projects, I have encountered highly skilled engineers who, surprisingly, lacked the confidence to articulate their ideas or provide even a concise overview of the projects under their leadership. Moreover, I have crossed paths with engineers who are well-versed in technical aspects but who struggle when it comes to collaborative teamwork. The underlying issue often boils down to a deficiency in fundamental soft skills, particularly in the realm of effective communication.

This raises an essential question: In a world where technical skills are crucial, can we afford to let our children solely focus on technical proficiency, potentially neglecting the critical development of essential soft skills? Emphasizing both technical aptitude and soft skills in child development is essential. It ensures that as children grow, they evolve into well-rounded individuals capable of not only excelling academically but also navigating the complexities of interpersonal relationships and contributing positively to society.

The nearly two hours I spent with Irene were akin to a valuable educational session on the challenges and success stories of children's transformation. As she spoke, I could discern the profound passion in her eyes for fostering a community that places paramount importance on the comprehensive development of children, as opposed to merely partial growth.

With nearly five years of dedicated work alongside children and schools, Irene imparted a powerful lesson on the significance of unwavering commitment to one's mission, a driving force that keeps one motivated day in and day out. Her masterclass proved to be a profound revelation for me, and I earnestly hope that many parents and educational institutions will come to understand and appreciate the exceptional work that Irene is undertaking.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, sibling, or guardian, what steps are you taking to facilitate children in comprehending and embracing the significance of emotional intelligence in their overall development?