Emotional literacy
Emotional literacy is the ability to understand ourselves and others and to be aware of, understand and to use information about the emotional states of others with competence. It includes the ability to understand, express and manage our own emotions, and respond to the emotions of others, in ways that are helpful to ourselves and others.
Developing the Emotionally Literate School (Weare, 2004)
There is convincing evidence to suggest that developing the social and emotional competence of children and young people leads to improved well-being, self-esteem, pro-social behaviour and higher achievement.
The environments that encourage emotional and social competence are:
- an enriched physical environment
- an enriched emotional environment.
We now understand that by providing these environments, together with specific training and coaching in personal and social skills, we can enable children and young people to develop emotional maturity far more effectively than we could before. Many schools believe that emotional intelligence can and must be developed because it leads to so many benefits. They are therefore finding ways to explicitly place emotional literacy at the heart of their approach to learning, teaching, achieving, behaviour change and well-being.
Aspects of emotional literacy
The various aspects of emotional literacy as described by Katherine Weare in her book 'Developing the Emotionally Literate School' are outlined here.
Self-understanding:
- having an accurate and positive view of ourselves
- having a sense of optimism about the world and ourselves
- having a coherent and continuous life story.
Understanding and managing emotions:
- experiencing the whole range of emotions
- understanding the causes of our emotions
- expressing our emotions appropriately
- managing our responses to our emotions effectively: for example, managing our anger, controlling our impulses
- knowing how to feel good more often and for longer
- using information about emotions to plan and solve problems
- resilience: processing, and bouncing back from, difficult experiences.
Understanding social situations and making relationships:
- forming attachments to other people
- experiencing empathy for others
- communicating with others and responding effectively
- managing our relationships effectively
- being autonomous, independent and self-reliant.
Useful resources
Confidence to Learn
An internationally acclaimed teaching and learning resource for primary schools, which aims to extend health education and promotion – in keeping with the aims of health promoting schools.
Your local health promotion department
Health promotion resources and training may be available through your local health promotion department: find the contact details on this page.
Weare, K, 'Developing the Emotionally Literate School', London: Paul Chapman Publishing, 2004
Weare, K, 'Promoting Mental, Emotional and Social Health – A Whole School Approach', London: Routledge, 2000
Useful links
Quality Circle Time
Website hosted by Jenny Mosley Consultancies, offering information and advice on using circle time in schools; includes an online shop for circle time resources and details of training courses.
School of Emotional Literacy
Resources, training, research and consultancy on emotional literacy.
Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organisations
Information, reports and resources on emotional intelligence, including work by Dr Daniel Goleman.
Antidote
The Campaign for Emotional Literacy website, offering advice, case studies and details of conferences and training opportunities.
Lucky Duck Publishing
Videos, books and training materials for all ages on a range of educational issues and topics, including circle time and bullying.
Penumbra
One of Scotland's leading mental health charities, providing a range of support services for adults and young people.
Breathing Space Scotland
Website and telephone helpline (0800 838587) to support young people.
