“Emotional Intelligence”, Missing piece in our education system

Language played a crucial role in our ability to communicate with one another and to share knowledge and information. This allowed humans to evolve at a faster pace than other species, as we were able to collaborate and build on each other’s ideas and skills.

As humans developed more specialised skills and abilities, we were able to distribute tasks and responsibilities more effectively within our communities. This allowed us to achieve greater efficiency and productivity, as people were able to focus on the tasks that they were best suited for. For example, someone who was physically strong might be better suited for protecting the community, while someone with culinary skills could be responsible for cooking food for the group.

Over time, humans developed even more specialised skills and knowledge, which allowed us to become even more efficient and productive. Some people became experts in specific areas, such as agriculture, medicine, or engineering, and their knowledge and skills helped to drive human progress forward.

However, as our skills and knowledge became more specialised, we also faced new challenges. It became increasingly difficult for people to understand and communicate with one another across different fields and areas of expertise, and this has led to some of the communication challenges that we face today. Nonetheless, the ability to communicate and share knowledge remains one of the key strengths of the human species, and it has allowed us to achieve remarkable feats of innovation and progress throughout our history.

In early human societies, knowledge transfer was often the responsibility of specialised advisors and elders who had accumulated wisdom and experience over time. These advisors understood the importance of passing down knowledge and skills to the next generation, and they used a variety of methods to ensure that this information was transmitted effectively.

One of the key approaches that these early teachers used was experienced-based learning, which allowed learners to develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills through hands-on experiences and real-world scenarios. This type of learning was particularly effective because it helped learners to develop a deep understanding of why certain skills and knowledge were important, and how they could be applied in different contexts.

In addition to teaching practical skills, early teachers also recognised the importance of emotional intelligence and collaboration in human development. They understood that people needed to work together effectively to achieve their goals, and that this required a deep understanding of the emotions and perspectives of others. To teach these skills, early teachers used a variety of methods, such as games and simulations, to help learners develop their team building, leadership, and strategic thinking skills.

Overall, the experienced-based learning and emotional intelligence teaching methods used by early teachers were highly effective in helping learners develop the skills and knowledge they needed to thrive in their communities. While the methods of knowledge transfer may have evolved over time, the fundamental principles of effective teaching and learning remain the same. By understanding the importance of experiential learning, emotional intelligence, and collaboration, we can continue to build on the rich legacy of knowledge and skills that has been passed down to us from our ancestors.

As human societies grew larger and more complex, it became increasingly difficult to rely on individual teachers to transmit knowledge and skills to the next generation. This led to the development of more structured systems of education, which were designed to ensure that all learners had access to the knowledge and skills they needed to succeed.

Over time, the burden on the education system grew as the knowledge and skills required for success became more complex and specialised. This led to the development of more streamlined and simplified approaches to education, with a focus on ensuring that the most important and relevant knowledge was passed on to the next generation.

One of the key innovations in this regard was the development of written language, which allowed people to record and transmit knowledge and ideas more easily over time. With the development of writing, it became possible to create a set of instructions or knowledge bank that could be used to teach large numbers of students, even in the absence of a large number of teachers.

Despite these changes, the core motivation behind education was always the same: to transfer the best experiences and knowledge of one generation to the next. This has been achieved through a variety of approaches, from experiential learning and apprenticeships to more formalised systems of schooling and university education.

Ultimately, the goal of education is to ensure that people have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and contribute to their communities and society as a whole. Whether through formal schooling or informal apprenticeships, the transmission of knowledge and skills from one generation to the next remains one of the most important and enduring legacies of human culture and progress.

While it is true that many people learn about emotions through life experience, there is no doubt that a more structured approach to emotional education could be hugely beneficial.

One of the key challenges facing young people today is the difficulty they have in coping with failure and setbacks. This is partly due to the fact that our society places such a high premium on success and achievement, and partly due to the fact that we often do not teach young people the skills they need to cope with failure and bounce back from setbacks.

By including emotional learning in our education system, we can help young people develop the skills and strategies they need to manage their emotions effectively, both in the face of success and failure. This could include teaching them about the importance of self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and relationship-building.

At the same time, it is important to recognise that emotional learning is not just a matter of classroom instruction. It is also about creating a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages young people to explore and express their emotions in a healthy and constructive way. This could include providing opportunities for students to engage in peer mentoring, group discussions, and other forms of social-emotional learning.

Ultimately, by incorporating emotional learning into our education system, we can help young people develop the skills and strategies they need to succeed in life, while also promoting mental health and well-being. This is a crucial task that deserves the attention and support of policy makers and educators at all levels.