Study gives thumbs up to school emotional-intelligence programmes

Researchers from Loyola University Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago have been looking into the effectiveness of school-based social and emotional learning programmes. The programmes aim to help children recognise and manage their emotions, establish and maintain positive relationships, set and achieve positive goals, make responsible decisions and constructively handle interpersonal situations. The researchers reviewed studies into 213 school-based programmes involving more than 270,000 children. Compared to chidlren in the control groups the children in the programmes showed significantly improved social and emotional skills, caring attitudes and positive social behaviour and less disruptive behaviour and emotional distress. In studies where the children's academic performance was also assessed the children in the programmes performed significantly better.