ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with the premise that the development of social skills is inextricably bound up with emotional literacy (EL) because the exchanges between people, no matter what the context, involve an exchange of emotions as well as practical information. EL is designed to underpin the whole curriculum, rather than being seen as another thing that teachers have to “do”. The programme offered an opportunity to learn key skills and frameworks for applying EL in school against a background and ethos of inclusion for all students, no matter how challenging their behaviour issues. Relationships that are based on the certain knowledge that words and actions are precipitated by feelings and that providing real time, space, and consideration to give these feelings a voice can lead to a deeper understanding of why people feel angry/sad/joyous/frightened/elated/violent/quiet/fulfilled—and so the list of feelings goes on.
