Abstract
The current study seeks to address foster parents' knowledge of a concept known as Emotional Intelligence, which is a person's ability to label and understand one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. This study also seeks to understand foster parents' ability to promote Emotional Intelligence and recognize emotions and change in emotions among children. Few studies to date address the emotional needs specific to the foster care population and how foster parents can best support social and emotional development in this population. The study found foster parents' demonstrated the ability to notice change in emotions of their foster children. Additional findings suggest that foster parents who value emotional expression are likely to engage in conversations regarding emotions. Foster parents must have a clear understanding of the value of Emotional Intelligence in order to follow through with behaviors which support Emotional Intelligence.