Definitions of Emotional Literacy
There are several companies, groups, and individuals that define emotional literacy. For our purpose as teachers, we can use this working definition, taken from the Emotional Literacy Campaign: "emotional literacy is the ability to recognize, understand, and appropriately express our emotions".
From KidsNewsRoom, a website for kids, parents, and teachers:
"As we evolve and our cultures change, new forms of literacy are required to give us the proper tools to deal with a broad and ever-changing spectrum of issues...Today the need for Emotional Literacy is ever increasing, and is one of the best investments that we can make for ourselves and our children."
There are five main aspects to Emotional Literacy, according to the Nurturing Programme:
Knowing our emotions
Managing our emotions
Motivating ourselves
Recognising emotions in others
Handling relationships
Are you emotionally literate? Take this quiz! (Source: The Nurturing Programme)