PSHE

Keeping Healthy – Mind and Body

 

In line with our PSHE policy we will be discussing emotions this half term and introducing ‘emotion pots’ to the classroom. Children will be able to put their name in the emotion pot that best describes their emotion at any given time.

 

We know that worried, stressed, sad, angry and upset children simply don't learn well at school. When humans (of all ages) experience strong negative emotions - our ability to concentrate, use language and problem solve is severely impaired.

1. means that helping students manage their emotions at school is an extremely important part of teaching. Children with good emotional literacy do better at school and cope better with strong emotions. Good emotional literacy means the following:

Understanding that there are different emotions (anger, sadness, worry, embarrassment, excitement, happiness, guilt etc.)

Understanding that emotions vary in intensity from mild to strong

Understanding that emotions are triggered by thoughts and situations

Being able to identify emotions in self and others

Being able to express emotions and take steps to cope with negative emotions.

 

We can help children increase their emotional literacy simply by making emotions part of a daily vocabulary. For example, in discussing books, movies, classroom situations or topic from other curriculum areas, teachers can ask questions like:

What was that character feeling there?

I wonder whether this person is feeling angrier or more worried?

What do you think went through their mind in that situation?

What made this person so upset do you think? Was it X..or Y...Or Z?

If that happened to me, I think I would feel X and X. How about you?

What happened that might have made X feel that way?

1. think X might be feeling X right now. How strong was that feeling on a scale from 1-10? What could she/he say?

 

There are powerful benefits to acknowledging and empathising with emotions in children. The child hears two essential messages:

You are cared about and noticed in this room

Emotions are not dangerous things - you can have them, I can speak about them - and you are still okay.

 

For further information:

https://www.pta.org.uk/blog/8719/Helping-children-develop-emotional-literacy