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The abuse and violence in our culture, as well as globally, indicate that education and wealth do not equal emotional stability. The ability to feel, express and handle emotions is not being taught. Academic literacy is not Emotional Literacy. Academic Literacy describes a person's abilities to read and write, solve math problems and analyze complex materials. It centers around manipulating data, information and language.
However, research beginning in the 1990s shows that effective communication requires more than academic literacy. Effective communication, and therefore education, requires Emotional Literacy as well. CEL is designed to leverage pre-existing academic literacy by sharing powerful information that helps students in their self-management of their emotions.
Once all the pieces of the human puzzle are in place, and the real barriers to education are down, anything is possible. Students can absorb information. Teachers can engage students without conflict or hesitation. And the dynamic of the classroom, of students encouraging each other to succeed, can re-emerge.
According to Andrew Weary, M.D., Family Practitioner, Acting Chair of CEL and Chair CEL's Integrative Medical Committee:
Emotional Literacy addresses four of the most important issues facing our community today. They are:
- Bad Moods: Emotional Literacy offers effective methods to improve the emotional well-being of individuals and our community
- Negative Environments: Emotional Literacy can improve classroom, workplace and home environments, reducing stress on everyone and favoring overall productivity
- Struggling Relationships: The emotional, social and developmental skills learned through Emotional Literacy help imporove personal relationships that sustain acceptance, trust, and love
- Self-Esteem Issues: A community fostering Emotional Literacy can secure positive self-esteem for all
Gayle Temkin, CEL Founder, explains:
"Emotional Literacy teaches us to continually learn and practice self-management. No one ever has it down pat. CEL is committed to bringing people together to 'walk the walk' by practicing Emotional Literacy together to the best of our abilities. We encourage each other to join in preparing ourselves to succeed."
"Emotional Literacy isn't about becoming perfect! It is more about gaining the patience, tolerance, and friendliness to all aspects of ourselves and others. A natural and strange phenomenon occurs with these behaviors, an effortless self-correction surfaces and sticks. It's like a seed growing in the right soil with the right moisture. I think the same thing happens to us when we become patient, tolerant, and friendly."
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