Awareness and Intelligence with Emotions

Heather Janney and Daniel Gonzalez

Emotions are a part of every human being. There are hundreds of emotions along with variations, mutations, and blends of those emotions. They tell us about what we are experiencing and help us to know how to react. There are no good or bad emotions, but there are good and bad ways of expressing (or acting on) emotions. In working with youth, who have the least experience with their emotions, extension professionals and volunteers – adults, must use extra special attention to their interactions. It is like building a pyramid with cups; any small action or interaction can make things start to tumble downward. As extension professionals and 4-H Volunteers working directly with youth, we can see these pyramids in the process of building up and tumbling down and we also have the ability to use the skills of emotional awareness and emotional intelligence to help deter again the potential negative impacts of youth breaking down with their emotions.