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Reading Assignment V

James L. Nickel Oakland University SW3101 Human Behavior in the Social Environment Professor Ellen Toomey November 16, 2022

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Middle Childhood What Emotional Intelligence or EQ is difficult to measure from qualitative tests, it is more of a skill that can be measured through observing behavior when emotions are tested. Ashford, LeCroy, and Williams define emotional intelligence as, “qualities such as understanding one’s own feelings, empathy for the feelings of others, and regulating emotions in ways that enhance life (2016). Emotional intelligence is learned in middle childhood and is crucial for developing social skills. EQ was never spoken about or rewarded in the past. Some children may struggle with abstract ideas, which leads them to have lower IQ scores or struggle in school. Those kids that struggle in school may have high emotional intelligence which is not evaluated in schools. So What Self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness (Ashford et al., 2016). These are the skills that are used to determine emotional intelligence. School social workers can assist kids that struggle with their emotional intelligence and build skills that help kids understand their emotions. According to Ashford et. al, Emotional intelligence is made up of four abilities: perceiving emotions, using emotions, understanding emotions, and managing emotions. Social workers work to help children in middle childhood work on those abilities. A guiding principle for social workers for school social workers would be “The Social Worker Should Lend Vision to the Client” (Sheafer & Hurejsi, 2006). Children may find

3 emotional intelligence challenging and not know how to improve their emotional abilities. A social worker can bring new ideas and helpful processes to improve a child’s emotional intelligence. Now What If I were to work with children in middle childhood, I would have to assess a child’s emotional intelligence and decide if they need any improvement in their emotional abilities. For example, if a child in middle school is still throwing temper tantrums, then there must be an issue with communicating their feelings. I could sit down with the child when they are frustrated and ask them to express their feelings with words and their bodies until they can express their feelings with just their words. A social worker working with children in middle childhood would take on the role as counselor/clinician. The purpose of a counselor according to Sheafer & Hurejsi is to help their client to improve functioning through modifying behavior and implementing coping skills (2006). Clinical social workers lend vision to clients by using their expertise and implementing new strategies to help work through challenges. Helping kids in middle childhood work through their emotional intelligence is just one of many ways social workers can help kids in that age range.

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References Sheafer, B., & Hurejsi, c. (2007). Guiding Principles . In Techniques and Guidelines for Social Work Practice (7th ed., pp. 68-81). Pearson Education INC. Sheafer., & Hurejsi, c. (2006). The Roles and Functions Performed by Social Workers. In Techniques and Guidelines for Social Work Practice (7th ed.). Pearson Education INC... Williams, L. R., Ashford, J. B., & LeCroy, C. W. (2016). Empowerment Series: Human Behavior in the Social Environment: A Multidimensional Perspective (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

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