Imagine how life would be if you were unable to name any of your emotional states. Think how much harder it would be to solve problems in your life if you didn’t know whether you were feeling sad, frightened or angry. Not only would it be difficult to decide on the best course of action, but you would find it very difficult to seek help and support from other people.
The ability to name a feeling is the first step towards being able to manage it. So, in Foundation 5 they decided to start asking themselves about feelings and learning to manage them. As part of their project, they created “My big book of feelings” and explore their own faces and expressions.
If I know I am angry, then I can apply the strategies I know for dealing with anger: taking time out, breathing deeply, or asserting myself. Without a name for the feeling, it is much harder to decide on a course of action.
After having done activities like the ones they carried this term, they are much closer to recognising their emotions and thinking about their actions. It is only the beginning of their Social and Emotional Learning. But it is a big step.
