Emotional Literacy Library
An important first skill at school is emotional literacy. Kids who can recognize and name their emotions accurately are better able to handle their emotions. These kids often communicate and work more effectively at school and home. They are typically more resilient, and, because they feel calm and connected, are better able to learn.
At QAE, the K and 1st grade classrooms are building Emotional Literacy libraries for each room. Teachers introduce the EL books and revisit them throughout the year. The PTSA has provided seed money to purchase titles selected by the teachers, and families can help by donating additional copies. Click here for lists.
At Home
Reading books with your child is a great way to help them recognize and understand emotions. One simple strategy can go far: simply point out that a character has a strong feeling, and asking your child to identify it. With books that a child has read before, you can ask them to identify the feelings they see and the reasons that the characters are feeling them. Don’t “teach”, just ask and talk about your child’s responses.
To develop emotional literacy, it is important that children know what a feeling is. One explanation of feelings is “A feeling is a reaction to something that happens around me.” It is also important to let children know that feels are natural and normal. Children have lots of feelings, and they shift and change constantly. Lastly, they will need to be reassured that they will naturally learn to manage their emotions as they grow up, and they get better at managing their emotions through the practice.
At QAE, the K and 1st grade classrooms are building Emotional Literacy libraries for each room. Teachers introduce the EL books and revisit them throughout the year. The PTSA has provided seed money to purchase titles selected by the teachers, and families can help by donating additional copies. Click here for lists.
At Home
Reading books with your child is a great way to help them recognize and understand emotions. One simple strategy can go far: simply point out that a character has a strong feeling, and asking your child to identify it. With books that a child has read before, you can ask them to identify the feelings they see and the reasons that the characters are feeling them. Don’t “teach”, just ask and talk about your child’s responses.
To develop emotional literacy, it is important that children know what a feeling is. One explanation of feelings is “A feeling is a reaction to something that happens around me.” It is also important to let children know that feels are natural and normal. Children have lots of feelings, and they shift and change constantly. Lastly, they will need to be reassured that they will naturally learn to manage their emotions as they grow up, and they get better at managing their emotions through the practice.
for more suggestions, click on the files below
| el_bookcovers.pdf |
| emotionalliteracy-chapterbooks.pdf |
