Development of Emotional Intelligence of Early and Preschool Children

Emocije i emocionalni razvoj važni su čimbenici djetetova cjelokupnog psihofizičkog razvoja. Emocionalni razvoj odvija kroz usvajanje, diferenciranje i transformaciju emocija kroz različita razdoblja djetetova odrastanja (Haviland-Jones i sur., 1997. i LaFreniere, 2000; prema BrajšaŽganec, 2003). Osiguravanje pravilnog emocionalnog razvoja važno je za razvoj emocionalne inteligencije djeteta. Emocionalno inteligentna osoba ima razvijenu sposobnost prepoznavanja i razumijevanja vlastitih i tuđih emocionalnih stanja, razvijenu empatiju, samopouzdanje i povjerenje u sebe i svoju okolinu, neovisna je i ostvaruje kvalitetnu suradnju i odnos s drugim ljudima (Salovey i Mayer 1989; prema Shapiro, 1997). Obitelj osigurava i potiče djetetov emocionalni razvoj putem razvoja sigurne privrženosti između primarnoga skrbnika i djeteta te pružanja ugodne atmosfere i sigurnog okruženja. Odgajatelj ima ulogu u poticanju razvoja emocionalne inteligencije u vrtiću osiguravajući djetetu poticajno okruženje, aktivnosti i materijale koji će djetetu pružiti kvalitetne uvjete za njegov potpun emocionalni, ali i cjelokupni razvoj (Bilić i sur., 2012).Emotions and emotional development are important factors in a child’s overall psychophysical development. Emotional development takes place in the stages of adoption, differentiation and transformation of emotions through different periods of a child's development (Haviland-Jones i sur., 1997. i LaFreniere, 2000; as cited in Brajša- Žganec, 2003). Ensuring proper emotional development is important for the development of a child's emotional intelligence. An emotionally intelligent person has a developed ability to recognize and understand their own and others' emotional states, developed empathy, self-confidence and confidence in themselves and their environment, is independent and achieves quality cooperation and relationships with other people (Salovey i Mayer 1989; as cited in Shapiro, 1997). The family ensures and encourages child's emotional development by enabling the developing of secure attachment between the primary caregiver and the child and providing a pleasant atmosphere and safe environment. The educator has a role in encouraging the development of emotional intelligence in kindergarten by providing a stimulating environment, activities and materials that will provide the child with quality conditions for his full emotional and overall development (Bilić i sur., 2012)