Emotional Intelligence Questions to Spark Discussions with Students

Amber CalderonOct 8, 2025 • 4 min read

Emotional Intelligence Questions to Spark Discussions with Students

Nurturing young minds isn’t just about textbooks and exams. It’s also about helping our students navigate the complex world of emotions. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the secret sauce that helps them thrive, and we’ve got just the recipe! In this blog post, we’ve curated a fun and engaging questions that are divided into different categories. These questions are like little keys to unlock conversations about emotions with your students. Empower your students with these questions to help them understand, express, and manage their feelings.

Remembering: Emotion QuestionsStart by jogging your students’ memory and getting them to recall the basics of emotions. These questions will help them remember what emotions are, how to identify them, and even reflect on their own emotional experiences.

What is an emotion?

Name three different emotions.

What is a facial expression?

What are some emotions that you have felt before?

Understanding: Emotion QuestionsNow that we’ve refreshed our memory, let’s dive deeper into emotions. Use these questions to encourage your students to understand not only their own feelings but also the feelings of others. It’s a crucial step in developing empathy and emotional intelligence.

How do you feel when you are happy? Sad?

How do you think other people feel when they are happy? Sad?

Why is it important to understand emotions?

What does it mean to be empathetic towards someone else’s feelings?

Applying: Emotion QuestionsEmotions aren’t just something we understand; they’re something we experience and deal with daily. Use these questions to empower your students to apply their emotional understanding. From managing anger to comforting others, these questions promote emotional resilience.

What should you do when you feel angry?

How would you react if you saw someone crying?

What can you do to cheer someone up?

Why is it important to identify and understand our emotions?

Can you think of a time when you used deep breathing or another calming strategy to manage your emotions?

Analyzing: Emotion QuestionsEvery person is unique, and so are their expressions of emotions. This section delves into the fascinating world of emotional diversity. We’ll examine how different individuals might express the same emotion and why people may react differently to similar situations.

How do different people express the same emotion?

Why might someone feel scared in a particular situation?

How might someone feel if they are left out of a game?

How do different people express their emotions differently?

Evaluating: Emotion QuestionsReflecting on the importance of emotions and their expression is essential for emotional growth. In this section, we’ll ask questions that prompt your students to evaluate the significance of discussing emotions, understanding others, and expressing feelings in a healthy way.

Do you think it’s important to talk about your emotions? Why or why not?

Why might it be helpful to think about how other people feel?

Do you think it’s okay to be angry? Why or why not?

Why is it important to express emotions in a healthy way?

Creating: Emotion QuestionsFinally, it’s time for your students to put their emotional intelligence into creative action. These questions encourage them to express their emotions through storytelling, art, music, and even role-play. It’s a fun and imaginative way to reinforce the emotional concepts they’ve explored in the previous sections.

Create a story about a time when you felt proud.

Draw a picture that shows how you feel when you are excited.

Write a song or poem about a happy emotion.

Can you create a skit or role-play where characters navigate through a situation by identifying and managing their emotions?