--- title: "Emotional Literacy" description: "16 topics in Personal & Social Development, in the order they build on each other." canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/areas/emotional-literacy source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/areas/emotional-literacy.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Emotional Literacy 16 topics in Personal & Social Development, in the order they build on each other. Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/areas/emotional-literacy - [Naming basic emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/naming-basic-emotions-mt_LhkP_KKIRS): Name common feelings, including happy, sad, angry, scared, excited and surprised. Use facial expressions, body movements and what happened as clues, while recognising that asking the person helps us understand their feeling. - [Feelings Change and Differ](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/feelings-change-and-differ-mt_ggcamLzXAy): Understand that everyone has feelings, that feelings change throughout the day, and that the same event can make different people feel different things - [Triggers and Causes of Feelings](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/triggers-and-causes-of-feelings-mt_9Y5-GjF2B0): Understand that feelings have causes — something happens (a trigger) and that makes us feel a certain way — and begin to identify what triggers their own emotions - [Emotion Vocabulary](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/emotion-vocabulary-mt_MOY_2Cqalz): Use a wider vocabulary of emotion words beyond the basics — including frustrated, worried, anxious, embarrassed, jealous, proud, disappointed, grateful, and lonely — and distinguish between similar emotions - [How emotions feel in your body](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/how-emotions-feel-in-your-body-mt_Ytd8XC3eQr): Recognise that feelings can come with body changes, such as a fluttery tummy, tight fists, a fast heartbeat or tense shoulders. Use the situation and their own experience to suggest possible feelings, without treating one body clue as proof. - [Mild to Strong Emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/mild-to-strong-emotions-mt_rymBfJmvFl): Understand that emotions come in different intensities — from mild to strong — and that the same emotion can feel very different depending on how intense it is (e.g., annoyed → angry → furious, or nervous → anxious → panicked) - [Mixed and Conflicting Emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/mixed-and-conflicting-emotions-mt_dlm3NspUyy): Understand that people can experience mixed or conflicting emotions at the same time — feeling excited and nervous about starting a new school, or happy for a friend who won but disappointed for yourself - [Expressing Feelings with Words](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/expressing-feelings-with-words-mt_kvrvpQris4): Express their own feelings appropriately using words rather than actions — saying 'I feel angry because...' instead of hitting, shouting, or withdrawing - [Hidden and Masked Feelings](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/hidden-and-masked-feelings-mt_E5ju6kQSu3): Recognise that people sometimes hide or mask their true feelings — smiling when they're actually sad, or saying 'I'm fine' when they're not — and understand why someone might do this - [Culture and Experience Shape Emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/culture-and-experience-shape-emotions-mt_nIl1kKZHsk): Understand that emotional responses are shaped by personal experiences, culture, and context — the same situation triggers different emotions in different people because of their backgrounds and past experiences - [Emotions and decision-making](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/emotions-and-decision-making-mt_KA5j5OeGvw): Understand how emotions influence thinking and decision-making: strong feelings can cloud judgement, we often make different choices when calm versus when upset, and recognising this gives us more control. - [Brain science of emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/brain-science-of-emotions-mt_gf4RUcACLg): Explore how connected brain systems, including the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, contribute to emotional responses and choices. Recognise that brain development continues during adolescence and varies between people. Describe stress-related body changes, distinguish holding back emotional expression from changing a feeling, and practise realistic cognitive reappraisal. - [Identity and belonging in adolescence](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/identity-and-belonging-in-adolescence-mt_p-8Hlf6_9k): Explore how interests, values and group memberships can shape identity during adolescence. Recognise that people may feel settled, uncertain or mixed feelings about belonging. Consider conflicting group expectations and selective presentation on social media. Practise discussing uncertainty and seeking support when it causes distress. - [Emotional Patterns Over Time](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/emotional-patterns-over-time-mt_cEQqskOaoo): Reflect on their own emotional patterns over time — noticing recurring triggers, understanding their typical responses, and recognising how their emotional awareness has grown - [Emotional intelligence](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/emotional-intelligence-mt_mydcMoa8gN): Introduce Goleman's five-part emotional intelligence model: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills. Learn ambivalence, nostalgia, schadenfreude, awe and cognitive dissonance. Reflect on emotional responses over time, distinguish naming a feeling from controlling it, and recognise when to seek support. - [Body Image and the Pictures You Scroll Past](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/body-image-and-the-pictures-you-scroll-past-mt_OyBLI3T0jX): Most images of bodies that reach a teenager are selected, posed, edited or generated, and comparing yourself with them is comparing with something that does not exist. Covers what filters and editing actually change, why a feed shows more of what you linger on, and what changes when you notice the comparison happening.