Building Emotional Intelligence from the Ground Up 🧠💛
June 23, 2025 EA Editor

🧠 Building Emotional Intelligence from the Ground Up

 

In this first session of EMBRACE Module 2: Cognitive Well-being, elementary students (ages 6 to 10) were introduced to how their brain works and how their daily habits and emotions impact learning. The goal was not just to give them facts, but to help them build awareness of their own thinking and motivation.

 

🧬 Why it matters: According to neuroscience, children’s brains are continuously shaped by their environment. That means every experience can help or hinder their cognitive growth. Learning to learn, embracing effort, and analyzing mistakes are all key to unlocking their full potential.

 

In Module 2, children explore:

  • Basic brain structure and functions: what neurons do, how attention and concentration work, and what helps them remember things better.
  • Information processing: how sleep, daily routines, and even emotions influence how we take in and remember information.
  • Effort and motivation: they learned that making mistakes is part of learning and that effort and practice help the brain grow, reinforcing the concept of a growth mindset.
  • Healthy habits for learning: The session emphasized that movement, nutrition, rest, and emotional balance all contribute to brain function.
  • Reflection activities: students were invited to draw and name parts of the brain, describe their own habits, and share when they feel most focused, most distracted, or most motivated.

 

Specifically, in Session 1 of Elementary School Sessions in July, students learn:

  • Understand what the brain is and how it functions
  • Recognize that all emotions are valid, and it’s normal to feel differently each day
  • Reflect on their own strengths and qualities through drawing and sharing
  • Explore shared classroom values by contributing to a symbolic “class treasure”
  • Practice basic mindfulness and breathing techniques to support emotional regulation
  • Work in teams to identify personal strengths in various scenarios and reflect on collaboration

 

The learning materials ~ including presentations, worksheets, and in-class activities ~ were collaboratively developed by the EMBRACE partners: Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România” (BZRO), Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC) & Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EA).

 

Learn more about the EMBRACE project: https://embrace-future.eu/ 


Project: 101190161 — EMBRACE — CERV-2024-CHILD

 

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. 

Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.