Emotional Literacy in the Early Years

Emotional literacy and health and wellbeing

have been placed at the heart of good practice by the Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in England, and the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, and this book provides clear guidance and lots of practical strategies for how to implement this ethos in your setting.

Understanding and promoting emotional literacy

Offering an explanation of emotional literacy, why it matters and how to make it happen in practice, this book looks at ways to promote and develop emotional literacy with young children through:

— Circle Time

— drama

— storytelling

— physical education

— outdoor play

— active learning

Benefits and practical application

It highlights the benefits of this ethos for all, and looks at how the emotionally literate setting supports inclusion and promotes achievement. Full of case studies of children aged 3 to 8, ideas for practice, photographs, points for reflection, photocopiable materials, and accompanied by a wide range of downloadable material available on the SAGE website, this is an indispensable guide for the early years practitioner.

Relevance and target audience

It is highly relevant to those looking at the transition from Early Years to Primary education, as well as the social, emotional and behavioural needs of young children.