Promoting Social Emotional Competence

Adapted for Kindergarten-Grade 1 from the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning by Genetta Gross, Margret Thorstenson, Melissa Binkley & Elizabeth Vorhaus

PROMOTING CHILDREN’S SUCCESS: ENHANCING EMOTIONAL LITERACY

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What is Emotional Literacy?

Emotional literacy is the ability to identify,

understand, and express emotions in a

healthy way.

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Emotional Literacy Skills

• Labeling feelings in self and others

• Understanding gradations of feelings

• Recognizing facial and physiological signs

• Modulating response

• Understanding that feelings can change

• Developing coping strategies

• Demonstrating empathy

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Children with a Strong Foundationin Emotional Literacy:

• tolerate frustration better• get into fewer fights• engage in less destructive behavior

• are healthier• are less lonely• are less impulsive• are more focused• have greater academic achievement

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Activity: Emotion Words

What emotion or feeling words are important to teach young children?

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How Can I Teach Emotional Literacy?

Indirect Teaching

Direct Teaching• Songs & Games• Discussion• Checking in…• Feelings Dice/Wheel• Creative Play Activities• Children’s Literature• Writing prompts or journals

Handout 1

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Indirect Teaching

• Provide emotional labels as children experience various affective states

• “Tamika and Tanya seem really happy to be playing together! They keep hugging each other!”

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Direct Teaching of Feeling Vocabulary

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Activity: Direct Teaching PracticeHow could you use these pictures to teach emotional literacy?

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Classroom Examples

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Checking In• Teachers and children

can “check in” each morning

• Children can be encouraged to change their feeling faces throughout the day as their feelings change.

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How do you feel today?

Use as a writing prompt

or

journal activity!

Songs

Use existing song and have children create new “feelings” lyrics and motions to go along with the new song:

“If you’re happy and you know it”• If you’re sad & you know it, cry a tear: “Boo-hoo”• If you’re mad & you know it, use your words: “I’m mad”• If you’re scared & you know it ask for help: “Help me”• If you’re happy & you know it,

hug a friend• If you’re tired and you know it,

give a yawn

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Games

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Make a _____ face.

Emotion Charades

Use as a writing promptorjournal activity!

On Monday When

it Rained

Glad MonsterSad Monster

Hands Are Not for Hitting

Book Nookshttp://www.csefel.uiuc.edu/practical-ideas.html

Discussion: There’s No Time!

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“I don’t have time to teach all of these things. I’m already

busy teaching literacy, science, health, math and completing portfolios, and

other assessments!”

Activity: Action Planning

Consider the following ideas when developing this month’s action plan:

• Explain how you will introduce these emotions during large group time.

• How will you teach children to recognize these emotions in themselves? In others?

• What books will you use to help teach about these emotions?

• How will you help children explore these emotions in center time?

• Design an art activity around these emotions.

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Questions?

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