Humanism and the Development of Children’s Emotional Intelligence

Humanism in early childhood education emphasizes the importance of respecting each child as a unique individual with different potentials, feelings, and needs. This approach places the child at the center of learning and focuses on the balanced development of emotional, social, and cognitive aspects. Emotional intelligence is a key focus because the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions is essential for a child’s overall development.

In practice, humanistic education encourages children to freely express their feelings and experiences. Teachers provide opportunities for children to talk about their emotions, learn to identify them, and understand the impact of their behavior on others. Activities such as storytelling, role play, and simple reflection help children develop empathy, self-control, and self-awareness.

Teachers play a crucial role in the humanistic approach as listeners, facilitators, and role models. They demonstrate empathy, patience, and respect for children’s feelings. By modeling healthy ways of handling emotions, teachers help children understand and manage their own emotions. Teacher role modeling becomes an effective direct learning source for children.

A learning environment that supports humanism should be safe, warm, and encourage positive interactions among children. Children are given opportunities to cooperate, resolve conflicts peacefully, and learn from their emotional experiences. Such an environment allows children to feel valued, accepted, and motivated to explore themselves without fear of making mistakes or being judged.

Applying humanism in early childhood education positively impacts the development of emotional intelligence. Children who are accustomed to recognizing and managing emotions become more confident, capable of building healthy social relationships, and highly empathetic. Emotional intelligence developed from an early age forms an essential foundation for a child’s success in social, academic, and personal life in the future.