Emotional Intelligence – What It Is + A Game to Make It Fun

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and EQtainment, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia  #Qsracetothetop http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

Being a parenting blogger, former educator, and parent of children with special needs, I’ve heard about emotional intelligence (EQ).  But only in the context of special needs and more specifically the Autism spectrum.  I wouldn’t have been able to define or explain it – not well anyway – until we received the EQ-focused board game, Q’s Race to the Top, in the mail last week.  Now I realize that emotional intelligence encompasses life and social skills that are vital to ALL children – not just those with special needs.

So… What IS Emotional Intelligence?

Sophia, the Harvard-educated mom of 3 behind EQtainment, the company behind our new fun game – explains:

“Emotional Intelligence (EQ) includes reading social cues, self-motivation, delaying gratification, coping with life’s ups and downs, relationships, decision making, and problem solving.”

So “EQ” is an essential counterpart to IQ.  And while children with special needs (like the sensory processing challenges that we struggle with in our family) surely need extra help in these areas, all kids can benefit from some fun practicing them.  And that’s exactly what Q’s Race to the Top was – FUN!

Making Emotional Intelligence Learning FUN!

In a world where emotional intelligence is often relegated to expensive therapists and school programs, EQtainment created Q’s Race to the Top and the first EQ storybook as a fun and EASY way for families to strengthen EQ right at home.

About the Storybook:  “The first storybook in the Q series, Q’s Wild Ride is an action-packed adventure that gives us a lesson about interpreting other people’s emotions and thinking before we take action.”  

We read the story first, which got the kids excited about the silly – often social-blundering – Q and his tree house.  Then they couldn’t wait to get started with the game.

The Goal of the Game:  “Help Q race to the top of his tree house by answering questions and performing fun actions. The questions are designed to promote feeling identification and verbalization, manners, social skills, creative thinking, balance, and coordination.”

The game was simple enough for our entire family to play (perfect for family game night!).  You just roll the dice, move your Q that many spaces, and grab a card based on the color of the square you land on.  Those cards are where the real fun comes in.

The Fun in the Cards:   “YOU CARDS help kids identify and verbalize their emotions, think creatively, and talk about behavior in a way that starts great conversations.”

“DO CARDS may just look like silly actions, but studies show that in order to develop mental and emotional self-control — two of the most important components of EQ — children must first learn to control their arms and legs through balance and coordination.

“Q CARDS allow the players to advise the monkey, Q, on what he should do in various social situations with friends and family, thereby letting them practice good manners, coping skills, and adopting a positive attitude.”

I loved how all of the kids got in on the conversations inspired by the “YOU” and “Q” cards.  And the kids got a huge kick out of the silly physical (and social!) challenges inspired by the “DO” cards.  (Plus, those physical challenges were excellent for my kids’ sensory processing needs, too!)  I think Q’s Race to the Top will become a regular part of our family game nights and even our homeschool learning, too.

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and EQtainment, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia  #Qsracetothetop http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”