What is Emotional Literacy and how can educators support students?

Emotional literacy is a really important aspect of a student’s development that educators need to understand and promote within their teaching environments. Essentially, emotional literacy refers to the ability to recognise, understand, and effectively manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It sounds simple but in the hustle and bustle of the day, remembering to support students emotionally can be consumed by lesson planning, marking and everything else that is involved in a school day!

Here’s what educators need to know:

Firstly, we should recognise that emotional literacy significantly impacts academic success and overall well-being. Students who are emotionally literate are better equipped to handle stress, build healthy relationships, and demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges. It can be referred to as ‘Psychological Safety’ which is a fundamental need for us all including the students we support.

Secondly, fostering emotional literacy involves creating a safe and supportive classroom environment where students feel comfortable expressing their feelings without fear of judgment. This can be achieved through open communication, active listening, and empathy. The listening aspect is one which can highlight the emotional needs of the student which might be masked by disruptive behaviour or passivity.

Thirdly, educators should integrate social-emotional learning into their curriculum. Such programmes provide opportunities for students to develop essential emotional skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and interpersonal skills. It can be part of the PSHE curriculum, form time or even a reflective moment at the beginning of a lesson.

Educators can be proactive in identifying students who may be struggling with emotional issues and provide appropriate support. This may involve implementing strategies such as mindfulness exercises, conflict resolution techniques, or referrals to school counselors or mental health professionals. We can think about this as a whole school initiative but if you are a classroom teacher, speak to pastoral leads to discuss how you can support the students in your lessons that may have challenges emotionally.

To bring this brief blog to a close, by prioritising emotional literacy and creating a nurturing learning environment, educators can empower students to navigate their emotions effectively, leading to improved academic performance, stronger relationships, and overall well-being.

We have teamed up with ‘Bridge the Gap‘ to share some free resources to support your practice. Your school can also contact Bridge the Gap to receive whole school support so that you can become an emotionally literate educator and school.