Emotions for Learning: Building Emotional Intelligence and Resilience
Our unique Emotions for Learning (E4L) curriculum, developed at St John’s College School, underpins everything we do. Designed to meet the emotional and social needs of our youngest children, the approach supports their mental health development and equips them with emotional literacy.
E4L is not just another subject we teach but a way of being in the St John’s College School community. Our staff, parents and Governors are all offered training in the E4L curriculum principles and delivery. We teach our teachers to consciously form strong connections with the children, as it is through relationships that children first find the security and ability to regulate.
Through E4L children learn how to connect to the people, places and things that matter. These connections instil a feeling of security which allows them to take risks, explore the world around them and develop confidence in their own abilities.
We love action stories peer-to-peer massages. We often start with ‘eye glasses’ which means drawing circles on my partner’s back. It is so relaxing.
Why we believe in the Emotions for Learning curriculum
E4L helps children to better understand and identify their emotions; develop empathy, increase emotional regulation and manage stress. At St John’s we believe that when we invest in our children’s well-being, encourage their creativity, and instil in them community values, we will raise emotionally literate and well-rounded individuals who then go on to excel academically, in life and work thereafter.
Stilling is a time to relax, focus your mind and help your body and brain to calm before the next part of the day. We listen to calming music and lie in our own spaces to listen to the stilling story.
How we implement the Emotions for Learning curriculum
Action Story: Peer to peer massage promotes safe, nurturing touch between children. The process teaches them about their body self, as well as encouraging them to become increasingly sensitive to the body self of others. Following an Action Story, the classroom calms, concentration and motivation improve and, as a result, children learn more effectively.
Listening with Heart: By tuning in to ourselves, and the body language and thoughts and feelings of the person we are listening to, we can create a safe, calm space in which to practise the art of deep listening. When children learn to listen, they develop better relationships and become independent problem solvers.
Stilling: Children regularly take time for ‘Stilling’ - guided visualisations to encourage children to tune in to themselves in a safe and relaxing space. They give children the quiet time and space they need for the unconscious processing of the day’s experiences.
Dialoguing: Through dialogue teachers lead children through a process of ‘connect, explore, act’ to help them to problem solve for themselves rather than having teachers give answers. We connect first so that children know we understand what they are feeling and going through; we ask open questions to help them explore the underlying reasons for the problem; and we help them form their own plan for how to change the situation and restore things where needed.
Complimenting: Children learn about themselves in the first instance when others tune in to them and feedback what they see. Throughout the school day, our teachers spontaneously model complimenting by mirroring aspects of children’s behaviour and personal characteristics. The regular use of compliments encourages children to take in a positive image of themselves and appreciate the good in others. It also creates an atmosphere of mutual care and generosity in the school community.
E4L training for parents: Multiple times a year parents are invited to attend E4L training to learn about the E4L curriculum, and gain an understanding of the practices and terminology. Parents are also able to participate and watch E4L lessons in their child’s class.
The impact of the Emotions for Learning curriculum on children at St John’s
At St John’s, our Emotions for Learning (E4L) curriculum offers a transformative approach to education, placing emotional intelligence and pupil wellbeing at the heart of every experience. E4L creates a nurturing environment where children build strong relationships with peers and adults, develop independent problem-solving skills, and grow a deep sense of agency and confidence. By fostering lifelong curiosity, intrinsic motivation, and self-awareness, pupils not only thrive academically but also lay the emotional foundations for success in future workplaces and personal lives. While educators can’t change the challenges children face beyond the classroom, E4L empowers them to discover new beliefs about who they are and the greatness they’re capable of—building resilient, joyful learners prepared for life beyond school.
If we have a ‘big’ feeling E4L helps us know what to do; we take a deep breath, say the feeling and then we think about how we feel.