The Power of Emotional Literacy: Why It Matters More Than Ever

In today’s fast-paced world, supporting the emotional wellbeing of children has never been more important. From playground conflicts to big feelings in the classroom, young people are constantly navigating complex emotions—often without the language or tools to express what’s going on inside.

That’s where emotional literacy comes in. It’s not just a buzzword. It’s a life skill.

What is Emotional Literacy?

Emotional literacy is the ability to recognise, understand, name, and manage emotions—both in ourselves and in others. It’s the foundation for emotional intelligence, and plays a critical role in how we relate, communicate, and thrive.

For children, developing emotional literacy means:

• Being able to say “I feel angry” instead of acting out

• Learning to calm their body when overwhelmed

• Understanding that emotions are natural—not something to fear or suppress

• Building stronger relationships with peers

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Helping Toddlers with Their Feelings… and Let’s Face It, All of Us

Let’s be real: supporting toddlers with their feelings isn’t just about them—it’s also about us. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or carer, helping young children navigate big emotions means we have to show up for them with patience, presence, and a whole lot of self-compassion.

That’s why I wrote Helping Toddlers with Feelings—the second book I recommend in our “Helping Toddlers” series. It’s not just a story. It’s a gentle guide for the big people, too.

Why Toddlers + Emotions = Magic (and Meltdowns)

Toddlers are wired to feel things deeply. They’re still learning how to express, regulate, and recover from emotional overwhelm. And here’s the thing: that’s developmentally appropriate.

In Helping Toddlers with Feelings, I wanted to show that emotions aren’t bad or something to fix—they’re messages. When a toddler feels frustration, fear, or sadness, it’s an opportunity to connect, not correct.

What if we could...

How to Help Your Toddler Name Their Feelings

Toddlers feel everything—from joy that explodes into giggles to frustration that turns into floor-flopping meltdowns. But while the feelings come fast and strong, the words to describe them? Not so much.

That’s where you come in.

Helping your toddler name their feelings is one of the most powerful things you can do to support their emotional development. It's the first step in building emotional literacy, self-regulation, and the ability to say, “I feel ___, so I can do ___.”

Let’s break it down.

🧠 Why Naming Feelings Matters

When toddlers learn the words for their emotions, a few amazing things happen:

• They feel seen and understood

• They start to make sense of their inner world

• They’re less likely to express emotions through hitting, screaming, or shutting down

• They begin to learn that feelings are OK, not scary or wrong

Naming a feeling gives it shape—and that makes it manageable.

🗣️ 5 Ways to Help Toddle...

Are Boys Easier Than Girls? Let’s Talk About Feelings and Emotions in Children

“Boys are easier.”
“Girls are more emotional.”
“Boys don’t talk about their feelings.”
“Girls are dramatic.”

Sound familiar?

Whether whispered at the school gate or passed down from generation to generation, these beliefs still sneak into how we view children — especially when it comes to feelings and emotions. But here's the truth:

❗️Children aren’t “easier” or “harder” based on gender.
They’re individuals — each with a full, beautiful, messy inner world that deserves to be seen, supported, and understood.

So let’s talk about it.

💡 Where Do These Beliefs Come From?

These stereotypes didn’t appear out of nowhere. For years, society has shaped the emotional expectations we place on children:

• Boys are often encouraged to “toughen up,” be strong, be brave.

• Girls are often told they’re “too sensitive,” “too dramatic,” or praised for being emotionally aware.

Over time, these messages influ...

Name It to Tame It: The Science Behind Emotional Literacy

You’ve probably heard the phrase: “Name it to tame it.”
It’s simple, memorable — and it’s backed by neuroscience.

But what does it really mean? And how does it help children (and adults) manage their big emotions with confidence?

Let’s dive into the science behind emotional literacy, and why naming our feelings is one of the most powerful tools we can give our kids.

🧠 What Does “Name It to Tame It” Mean?

Coined by Dr. Dan Siegel, a leader in interpersonal neurobiology, “Name it to tame it” is the idea that when we put words to what we feel, we reduce the intensity of that emotion.

In other words:

When we name the feeling, we calm the nervous system.

This simple act of emotional labelling activates the prefrontal cortex (our rational, reasoning brain) and helps regulate the amygdala (our fight/flight/freeze centre). It creates space between feeling and reacting — and in that space, we find choice, calm, and connecti...

Feelings First: What’s More Important—The Alphabet or Learning to Name Your Emotions?

A is for apple.
B is for ball.
C is for… crying on the floor because someone took your toy and you don’t have the words to explain how you feel.

We teach kids their ABCs before they can walk straight. We drill letters, numbers, colours, and shapes. And yes — literacy matters.

But what if we told you that emotional literacy might matter even more?

At My Wellbeing School, we believe in a simple but radical idea:

Feelings come first.
Before reading.
Before writing.
Before anything else — we need to learn how to be with ourselves.

🧠 What Is Emotional Literacy?

Emotional literacy is the ability to:

• Recognise what you’re feeling

• Name the emotion

• Understand where it’s coming from

• Express it in healthy ways

• Empathise with others’ feelings, too

It’s the foundation of emotional regulation, resilience, and connection — all essential for lifelong wellbeing.

💥 Why “Fee...

Toddlers and Mindfulness: Learning Emotional Regulation

The other day, my toddler turned to me in the sea — eyes soft, body still — and said:

“Mummy, this is my calm face.”

He was meditating.

In his own toddler way. In the ocean. With intention.

And I nearly burst into tears.

Because in that quiet, sun-drenched moment, I realised something powerful:

They’re taking it in.
All of it.
The breathing. The words. The tone. The energy. The stillness. The way we model how to move through the world.

Even when we feel like it’s not landing — it is. In ways we might not see until suddenly, one day… we do.

🧠 Toddlers Absorb Everything

Children are sensory sponges. Long before they can explain what they’re feeling, they’re soaking in how we respond to emotions, how we breathe through chaos, how we hold space for big feelings.

They’re watching:

• How we regulate ourselves when frustrated

• How we say “I need a moment” or “Let’s take a breath”

• How we describe emotions

  ...

Reading Together and the Bedtime Bond: Why Books Matter More Than Ever

There’s something sacred about bedtime. The soft light, the slowing breath, the quiet stillness between one day and the next.

And then…

“Can we read a book?”

It might seem like a small request. But reading together at bedtime isn’t just a habit — it’s a ritual of connection, comfort, and emotional growth.

At My Wellbeing School, we believe stories have the power to soothe, strengthen, and connect — especially during that tender, winding-down part of the day.

💛 Why Bedtime Reading Matters

Whether it’s a picture book, a feelings journal, or the same story for the 47th time, the act of reading together at night has enormous emotional and neurological benefits.

Bedtime stories help:

• Regulate the nervous system

• Signal safety and routine

• Build emotional bonds between parent and child

• Develop emotional language and empathy

• Create space for calm conversations about the day

It’s no...

Raising Brave Learners: Risk-Taking, Mistakes, and the Gift of Safe Boundaries

We want our children to grow up confident.
Curious.
Resilient.
Willing to try, fail, and try again.

But so often — especially when emotions are high — we rush in to protect, prevent, or perfect.

The truth is, learning involves risk.
And growing involves getting it wrong.

At My Wellbeing School, we believe in raising brave learners — children who feel safe enough to take emotional, social, and physical risks, and supported enough to bounce back when they stumble.

🧠 Why Risk-Taking Matters in Childhood

Healthy risk-taking is a vital part of development. Whether it’s climbing the big slide, trying a new food, asking a question in class, or admitting “I don’t know” — every risk is an act of courage.

When children take risks, they learn to:

• Test their limits and build confidence

• Problem-solve and adapt

• Develop resilience after failure

• Handle uncertainty and fear in healthy ways

• T...

Let Them Be Bored — and Remember to Wonder

The Joy and Power of Thinking Before Getting the Answer

“I’m bored.”

Two words that can make even the most patient parent or educator sigh.

But what if boredom wasn’t something to fix…
What if it was something to honour?

At My Wellbeing School, we believe that boredom is not the enemy of learning — it’s the gateway to wonder. And wonder is where creativity, curiosity, and emotional depth begin to bloom.

🌱 Why Boredom Is Actually a Gift

In a world of instant answers, flashing screens, and constant stimulation, our kids rarely have the chance to just… be.

When children are bored, their minds begin to:

• Drift

• Imagine

• Reflect

• Create

• Ask their own questions

Boredom makes space for original thought.
And in that space, children remember how to wonder — to sit with a question instead of rushing toward an answer.

🧠 Wonder Builds Better Thinkers

When we give kids the answer too quickly, we deny them the joy of ...