In today’s fast-paced world, children face an array of emotions daily—excitement, frustration, anxiety, and joy. Understanding these emotions and knowing how to manage them is crucial for their development. At Mountain Creek State School, fostering emotional literacy is a key focus, ensuring students have the skills to navigate their feelings, communicate effectively, and develop resilience.
“Our whole-school approach is about equipping children with the language to express their emotions and the strategies to self-regulate,” explains Sean Bennett, Principal at Mountain Creek State School. “We want to give them the tools to manage their emotions, whether in the classroom, on the playground, or at home.”
The power of emotional literacy
Emotional literacy—the ability to recognise, understand, and express emotions—is essential for children’s social and emotional development. Mountain Creek State School incorporates structured programs to build these skills, using evidence-based approaches such as the Zones of Regulation framework.
“We use four colours to help children self-identify how they’re feeling and categorise their emotions,” says Sean. “This helps them recognise their triggers, learn to read facial expressions, understand how their emotions impact others, and choose appropriate strategies to self-regulate.”
The Zones of Regulation framework groups emotions into four categories:
- Blue Zone: Low energy emotions such as sadness, tiredness, or boredom.
- Green Zone: A calm, focused state ideal for learning and social interactions.
- Yellow Zone: Heightened emotions like frustration, excitement, or nervousness requiring self-regulation strategies.
- Red Zone: Intense emotions such as anger or overwhelming anxiety, where calming techniques are essential.
“There’s no bad zone,” Sean reassures. “But the Green Zone is where we feel our best—calm, ready to learn, and socially engaged.”
Are you in the green zone? This colourful, interactive visual resource is designed to prompt children to consider how they are feeling.
Teaching self-regulation strategies
At Mountain Creek State School, students learn strategies tailored to each zone, helping them develop self-awareness and coping skills.
Identifying and labelling emotions
- Teaching children to name their emotions (e.g., happy, frustrated, sad).
- Connecting physical sensations (like a racing heart) to emotions.
- Encouraging open discussions in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
- Expanding emotional vocabulary to enhance communication skills.
Building skills to manage and understand feelings
- Practising breathing exercises to create calm and reduce overwhelm.
- Grounding techniques, such as focusing on the five senses, can be used to build awareness.
- Role-playing scenarios to rehearse appropriate emotional responses.
- Providing self-soothing strategies, such as safe spaces and calming routines.
- Encouraging reflection through journaling and group discussions.
Encouraging mindfulness and relaxation
- Incorporating yoga and guided relaxation activities.
- Teaching mindful breathing for improved focus and self-awareness.
- Using sensory tools like calming jars or stress balls.
- Promoting gratitude practices to shift focus from stress to positivity.
- Allowing quiet time for children to reflect and recharge.
Supporting emotional regulation
- Establishing routines that create emotional stability.
- Teaching children to pause and respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
- Building resilience by framing mistakes as learning opportunities.
- Encouraging collaborative problem-solving.
- Creating an inclusive environment where all emotions are acknowledged and validated.
Yoga is a regular part of the wellbeing program at Mountain Creek State School
Beyond the classroom: A whole-school commitment to emotional literacy
At Mountain Creek State School, emotional literacy isn’t confined to structured lessons – it’s woven into daily life.
“Our commitment extends beyond students,” Sean explains. “We provide teacher workshops to help educators with their own regulation so they can better support their students.”
Mindfulness activities are embedded into classroom routines, helping students develop self-awareness and emotional resilience throughout the day. Yoga groups, led by Joeline from Sunshine Hope, offer children the opportunity to practice movement and relaxation techniques that support their overall well-being. Additionally, mindful movement sessions encourage body awareness and provide a structured way for children to release built-up tension.
Movement breaks are incorporated into daily classroom schedules to further support self-regulation, allowing students to reset and refocus their energy when needed. Quality literature is also vital, sparking meaningful discussions about emotions and empathy. Using books as conversation starters, teachers help students connect with characters’ experiences and better understand their feelings.
Equipping children for life at Mountain Creek State School
By prioritising emotional literacy, Mountain Creek State School is setting children up for success – not just academically but also socially and emotionally.
“When children have the skills to understand and manage their emotions, they’re more engaged in learning, build stronger relationships, and develop resilience for life’s challenges,” says Sean. “It’s about giving them the tools to thrive now and in the future.”
For parents, supporting emotional literacy at home can be as simple as talking about feelings, modelling self-regulation strategies, and encouraging mindfulness practices. As Mountain Creek State School demonstrates, when children learn to manage their emotions, they develop confidence, empathy, and the skills needed to navigate the world with resilience.
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