Analysis: “We need to educate our emotions for life in pandemic society” – psychologist

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – (by Camila Cury*) In 2009, about 1 in 4 Brazilians spent more than three hours a day in front of screens – cell phones, computers, and TVs. In 2019, this share skyrocketed to almost 2 in 3 people (62%), according to data from Vigitel, a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health based on telephone interviews.

A 2019 survey from UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund) shows that 1 in 3 youths in the world are victims of online bullying. And a third study, conducted by the digital platform of psychology services Vittude, on data from 2016 to 2019, revealed that 86% of Brazilians suffer from some mental disorder.

All these surveys highlight the need to strengthen social and emotional skills and competences. Even more so in times of pandemic, when people need to be more distant or even isolated. This seclusion is costly and mainly impacts the ability of individuals to relate and exercise empathy. This is most critical for children and young people, who are developing these skills.

The importance of the topic was on the agenda even before Covid-19: in 2016, the World Economic Forum considered that emotional intelligence would be one of the 10 most important skills for the future. The following year, the Brazilian Ministry of Education began to mandate that schools work directly with the socio-emotional development of students. By an unfortunate coincidence, the pandemic hit just as institutions were beginning to adhere to the government’s determination.

The Covid-19 crisis brought us face to face with our weaknesses and forced us into a new reality. Social isolation, although it has united many families physically, has not always united them emotionally. Parents and teachers, however, were able to better understand conflicts and fears of their children and students through social-emotional education. How?

Many adults have used the opportunity to conquer the attention and emotion of children and adolescents. This is achieved by knowing how to moderate criticism and complaints. Saying that “you are too rowdy” or “you never listen to me” stamps labels and images registered in the brains of the younger ones, who begin to see themselves this way. Yes, we need to keep this in mind when educating our children. In addition, games, stories, and the sharing of joys and sorrows can be the building blocks of a healthier and smarter family bond.

The pandemic has highlighted what we, at Escola da Inteligência (Intelligence School), have been working on for more than 10 years: social and emotional education should occur as a form of promotion and prevention. This is the way not only to be able to recognize and name emotions, but also to learn to deal with life’s adversities and the uncertainties that arise. Knowing how to manage negative thoughts and unhealthy behaviors is essential if we are not to become hostages of our problems.

Skills such as self-awareness, empathy, and resilience prepare our children and youths to face the world. Socio-emotional education will not stop life and the planet from affecting us, but it will change the way this impact is absorbed and assimilated. So schools and families need to race against time, both to ensure emotional preparation for both youths and for themselves. When we act coherently between what we preach, say and do, it is much easier to educate emotionally intelligent children, youths and adults.

*Camila Cury is a psychologist, specialist in human behavior and founder of the Escola da Inteligência, a social-emotional education program applied in over a thousand schools in Brazil.

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