When you are a child, parents often try to teach you how to behave. They give you specific instructions about what is allowed and forbidden, and they set rules for your behaviour. This can be helpful because it gives children boundaries that help them learn to live in society.
There is another way to teach children - focusing on their emotions instead of just their behaviours. Instead of telling them what they should do or not do, adults could focus on helping children understand their own feelings and those of others.
This approach has been called "emotional literacy". It involves teaching children to identify, express, and manage their own emotions and those of others. Rather than controlling their behaviour through strict rules, adults work with them to develop skills like empathy, communication, self-awareness, and social awareness. The goal is to prepare children for life by equipping them with tools to navigate relationships successfully.
There are several reasons why emotional literacy might be more effective than simply controlling behaviour. First, focusing on emotions helps children to develop better interpersonal skills. When they have a strong understanding of emotions, they will be able to communicate more effectively and empathize with others. Second, emotional literacy can help children regulate their own emotions, which can lead to greater confidence and resilience. Third, when children feel understood and supported, they may be less likely to act out or misbehave.
Emotional literacy can help children build healthier relationships with themselves and others.
Emotional literacy does come with some challenges. Children who are taught to focus on emotions may struggle with impulse control, as they haven't learned how to restrain themselves from acting immediately on their feelings.
Children may become overwhelmed by the complexity of emotions, leading to anxiety or depression.
Because emotional literacy is about feelings rather than behaviours, it can be difficult to measure progress objectively.
Focusing on emotional literacy instead of behavioral control has many benefits for children. It can help them understand themselves and others better, which can improve their relationships in the long run.
It also comes with challenges that must be managed carefully.
What happens when guidance focuses on emotional literacy rather than behavioral control?
Emotional literacy can be defined as the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others, in order to navigate social situations successfully. Unlike behavioral control, which emphasizes external behavior modification, emotional literacy focuses on internal processes that influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions.