Growth stages of EI

Q: Are there growth stages defined regarding emotional intelligence? I’m thinking about Erikson, Maslow, Kohlberg and so on. The question therefore looks to understanding how early parenting and education might impact the development of mature emotional intelligence and what might lead us to a better understanding/development of creative emotional qualities.

A: Yes, the stages are well-defined, and have been known to developmental psychologists for many years.  So an EI ability like empathy begins with early roots in infancy, grows among toddlers, and develops further as a child brain matures throughout childhood and the teen years. This is the basis of social-emotional learning, which uses school-based programs to ensure that every child gets the EI lessons they need at the right time and in the right way to foster their emotional and social development. See the outstanding work of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning particularly the developmental standards they put together for the State of Illinois.