EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION

Abstract

This chapter explores the critical role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and emotional regulation in educational contexts, highlighting their impact on students' academic achievement, mental health, and social development. Drawing on Mayer and Salovey’s foundational framework and subsequent empirical studies, the chapter examines how emotional competencies—particularly self-awareness, empathy, and emotion management—support students in coping with academic stress, maintaining motivation, and navigating complex social environments. Emotional regulation, a core aspect of EI, enables students to manage negative emotions constructively, thereby enhancing classroom behaviour, attention, and resilience. The chapter discusses the value of pedagogical strategies such as Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, mindfulness practices, and emotionally responsive teaching in fostering EI. It also addresses the systemic challenges in implementing EI-based education, including overloaded curricula, lack of teacher training, and inconsistent policy support. Emphasizing that EI is not merely an enhancement but a necessity in contemporary education, the chapter advocates for its integration into the core of pedagogical practices. By doing so, schools can nurture emotionally intelligent learners capable of thriving in an increasingly complex, interconnected, and emotionally demanding world.