Have another question? Email: az@azgrowth.com
WHO CREATED THE EQ IT UP! WORKSHOP? The workshop was created by Aimee Clark, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and owner of AZ Growth and The Growth Vigilante and Founder of The Girl Uplifters Team™ and the Great Uplifters Team Gives™.
WHY IS THERE A SEPARATE CLASS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS? The curriculum was developed by a licensed therapist with awareness of the key challenges of social and emotional development experienced by each gender. Because they tend to need support in specific areas of Emotional Intelligence, it is logical to have two separated classes.
WHAT IS EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? EQ is extremely important. Having a high EQ gives us the ability to slow down, step back and assess what's happening when we feel a WAVE OF YUCK passing through. We self-regulate. We RESPOND versus REACT in a tough moment and, overall, practice emotional awareness, and then emotional self-care...which enables us to practice social awareness. We value EQ so much, that we dedicated a whole page to it. Read on.
WHAT IF WE WANT TO ADJUST SOME OF THE CURRICULUM? Because this is an optional after school activity, we leave it up to the discretion of the parents and guardians to communicate to us if there is any part of the curriculum that is not aligned with their desires, beliefs, etc. They will have the option to share that prior to the start of the workshop, and decide if it's a good fit.
HOW CAN WE RAISE OUR CHILD'S EQ? There are many ways to to this, but it all comes down to this: practice, reinforcement, repetition, modeling and engagement. Just like with their IQ, they need to have a "study" of emotions. This can be done in both Proactive and Reactive ways. Proactive is having a daily practice of emotional wellness. Reactive is knowing how to self-regulate and practice self-care during a challenging moment.
WHO WILL FACILITATE? All facilitators will have experience with group facilitation, counseling and/or education with a special interest in children and group work. They will have completed the EQ it UP!™ Facilitator training.
WHAT ASSESSMENTS WILL BE CONDUCTED? Our goal is to create the most effective workshop, so we are gathering as much insight and feedback as possible. Therefore, we will have short and sweet assessments we will do before, at the 5th group, and the last group with both the child and the parent/guardian!
WILL THEY RAISE THEIR EQ AT THE WORKSHOP? That is the goal! All of the curriculum is geared towards learning and practicing self-awareness and self-care through the different experiences that come with being a young girl/boy in Elementary School.
WHAT WILL BE THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THIS WORKSHOP? This workshop curriculum is designed to include grades 1st through 5th. We are trying for a well-rounded group, so will attempt to get an even amount from each grade level. Due to the different stage of brain development, there will be a limited amount of spots for first graders.
HOW WILL YOU SUPPORT THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT? The curriculum will include activities with the entire group, as well as breaking up into smaller groups to support the different stages of development. Once in the smaller groups, the facilitator will provide direction based on that grade level.
HOW WILL I KNOW HOW TO HELP MY CHILD WHILE S/HE'S TAKING THE WORKSHOP? You will receive a weekly email, along with a text message alert, that gives an overview of that week's curriculum and how you can support and reinforce what they are learning. Practicing with your child is an awesomely effective way to really do that.
WHY DO YOU REQUIRE PARENTS/GUARDIANS TO READ AND PRACTICETHE PRE-WORKSHOP MATERIALS? Although we are excited to plant some self, social, and emotional wellness seeds and really give the girls tools they can implement daily - all that we are doing needs to be reinforced at home. The Pre-Workshop information will give the parents/guardians an opportunity to understand and practice what their children will learn - and also help them to apply it when needed.
WILL I RECEIVE ANY INFO ABOUT MY CHILD? You will receive a general overview post-class each week. We will be observing each child as they go through the group. We will definitely provide insight and feedback when appropriate.
WHAT IF I BELIEVE MY CHILD HAS SOME SPECIAL NEEDS? There will be an information sheet to be filled out that will allow you to share that information prior to the start of the group.