By Ellen Raphael, teacher in Primary at Caxton College, Puçol

We had the pleasure of interviewing Dr Gauri Seth for Caxton Conversations, our school podcast. Dr Seth is an emotional wellness coach with an extensive clinical and academic background in medicine and psychiatry. She has worked in the National Health Service in the UK as a doctor and clinical academic with specialist experience in these areas. 

We were thrilled when Dr Seth agreed to join us on the podcast for an illuminating conversation about the importance of fostering emotional wellbeing in education.  We'd like to share with you the main points.

The value of emotional literacy and social-emotional learning. 

Children and teenagers can benefit from learning how to identify, express and manage their emotions. Schools can play an essential part in this process.

Understanding the neuroscience of our brains and how they develop can help us to better understand ourselves and our capabilities.

Knowing, for example, that the pre-frontal cortex, which helps to regulate our emotional responses, isn’t fully developed until you’re in your twenties, helps us to understand why children and teens can react impulsively. Providing this information to children and teens gives them insight and power into their feelings and ultimately allows them to find ways to help themselves feel and learn better. 

Adults are important role models.

If teachers and parents can process their own emotions effectively, it can help children process theirs. Modern day pressures create day-to-day stress for parents and teachers. If we have the skills to regulate our own emotions, it becomes easier to help children look after their emotional health. Modelling how you regulate your emotions in front of children helps them to see that having strong feelings and helping ourselves get back into a comfortable zone for learning and being is part of being human.

Life can be difficult for our young people.

For children to manage difficult and stressful times, such as exam-related stress in secondary age students, there are certain emotional needs which are important, including unconditional love and acceptance. By reframing what success looks like, by rewarding the effort they have given to their studies, rather than the final results, and celebrating their individual progress, we can help children to develop resilience and a more positive attitude towards their studies.

Children need to feel safe, seen and soothed, the three S's, by Dr Daniel Siegel.

Difficulties in emotional regulation, friendships and conflict are completely normal and are an inevitable part of growing up. What we learn from repairing and recovering from these conflicts helps build our resilience and learn more about ourselves.

You can listen to the full podcast here.