Introduction

'Developing children as rounded people and active members of the community is at the heart of what schools are about.
' Estelle Morris speaking as Under-secretary of State for School Standards 1996

The key to promoting emotional literacy is to raise self-esteem for all of us, parents, teachers and young people. This idea is not new but by using the phrase Emotional Literacy we make explicit what is already implicit in much of the work in Wiltshire.

Emotional Literacy matters because:

 We need to recognise our emotions in order to label or define them.
 We need to understand our emotions in order to be effective learners.
 We need to handle our emotions in order to develop positive and nurturing relationships.
 We need to appropriately express our emotions in order to develop as rounded people capable of helping ourselves, and so become emotionally healthy. In turn we will be better able to help others.

Setting a national agenda to promote and nurture our emotional literacy is important. Antidote is a national campaign promoting EL, and you can view links to other projects on the NELIG web site ( National Emotional Literacy Interest group). See our link page

In Wiltshire this page is supported by members of Health, Social Services and Education- Emotional Literacy encompasses:

 Skills and competencies-self awareness, managing emotions, motivation, empathy, handling emotions.
 Taking care of yourself.
 Allowing yourself to be yourself.
 Reflecting on your vision, values and goals.
 Enhancement of your self-esteem.
 Choosing your attitude.
 No problems only opportunities.
 Is your glass half empty or half full?
 Make a contract with yourself and share it.

If you would like more ideas about nurturing emotional literacy whether as a parent, teacher, young person or member of an organisation it is likely that this web site can help you find out more information about projects, courses or literature that you can access. Let us know through our feedback page or the WELIG@Wiltshire.gov.uk e-mail address.