It is being discovered that EQ, emotional quotient, is as important or more so than a persons IQ. These programs, that are run in conjunction with The Lagunitas School District and Coastal Community Health Alliance, focus on students emotional lives. They are aimed at giving students important skills to navigate their emotional worlds.

Much evidence testifies that people who are emotionally adept ­who know and manage their own feelings well, and who read and deal effectively with other people’s feelings are at an advantage in any domain in life, whether social, academic or professional. This can be hard work for the students, as well as adults, and by giving them these skills at an early age they will be better prepared to navigate some of the most complicated situations in life. Emotional life is a domain that, as surely as math or reading, can be handled with greater or lesser skill and requires its own unique set of competencies.

These classes are experiential, utilizing individual reflection and interactions as well as both small and large group exercises and discussions.  Themes to be covered include: 1) Identification, Expression, and Management of Emotions, 2) Self Awareness and Self Esteem, 3) Communication and Listening Skills, 4) Social Interactions and healthy emotional and physical relationships, 5) Embracing Diversity, 6) The Nature of Friendship, and 7) Helping, Cooperation, and Social Contribution.

Because these classes encourage self-disclosure and trust building, the facilitators honor confidentiality and request that all students do the same. Child are encouraging to share their personal discoveries and learnings from the above themes, without breaching any other individual’s confidentiality.