Emotions have become an essential element of our daily lives. Taking them into account and knowing them has made us change our way of understanding life and ourselves: from how we learn to how we interact with others. As different areas of research include them in their studies ( politics , economics , health ), educational legislation has done the same, although not in all educational systems.

For example, in Chile, France, or Portugal it is not contemplated, but in Colombia and Uruguay socio-emotional skills are mentioned. In Spain, emotional education is presented as a fundamental pillar on which learning is based. But what exactly does the Spanish educational law say about emotions?

What is emotional education?

Emotional education is about training children in skills so that they can control, first of all, their own emotions. Secondly, it is important that they know how to identify emotions in others. They can use all this information to guide their thoughts and actions.

The goal is to enable students to understand and control their emotions, motivate themselves, recognize and respect the emotions of others, and generally improve their relationships with others.

Emotional competence, legislated since 2006

Educational laws establish what to teach and when; they are the guides for teachers. For example, in the first year of ESO students learn the structure of the simple sentence, while in the fourth year of ESO they learn the compound sentence.

In Spain, emotions did not appear until the 2006 education law . This law is the first to affirm the need to ensure that “all citizens achieve the maximum possible development of all their capacities.” Among these, it mentions intellectual, cultural and also emotional capacities. All of this from an individual and social point of view.

With the approval of the LOMCE , also known as the Wert Law, in 2013, there were no changes in the text of the law, since it was not created from scratch, but rather modifications were made to the previous one. However, there were some autonomous communities that included the subject of Emotional and Creativity Education (EMOCREA). Among them, the Canary Islands and La Rioja.

The 2020 LOMLOE , currently in force, includes the expression emotional education for the first time . The so-called Celaá Law represents a significant advance in raising awareness among legislators and teaching professionals about emotional education. In fact, it states that “special attention will be paid to emotional education and values, including equality between men and women as a pillar of democracy.”

He also says that this emotional education will be worked on in all subjects. Therefore, it is a transversal teaching, as is the promotion of critical thinking or digital competence.

Emotional regulation, self-regulation and maturity

If we look at the Royal Decrees, which regulate the basic curriculum, we see how emotions are related to self-regulation and maturity. Also, with the management of those emotions.

Specifically, in subjects such as Biology and Geology, emotional education should be worked on from the perspective of healthy habits. For example, when working on nutrition we are also addressing self-esteem, since our physical well-being depends on good nutrition.

In Spanish Language and Literature, emotions are part of daily communication. Therefore, emotional education involves becoming aware of the words we use. In this way, we promote democratic and non-discriminatory coexistence. In the classroom, we work through debates on current issues to forge relationships based on empathy and respect through assertive communication.

Even in the subject of Economics and Entrepreneurship, skills are developed that allow for the effective management of personal emotions and skills because creative attitudes are promoted. Consequently, in the classroom, strategies for managing uncertainty will be worked on through, for example, role-playing games. In these, students can face real situations in companies in which errors can be learning opportunities and in which cooperative work is valued.

How far does emotional education go?

Although emotions are already part of our educational system, they are not considered at all stages: they are not present in university, language, artistic, sports or adult education.

Emotions, like our ability to express ourselves or to calculate, are innate abilities. Our condition as human beings allows us to feel joy and perceive sadness in other people. But all abilities can be developed and expanded through education. We teach Spanish Language, Literature and English. And now, also, Emotional Education.

Author Bios:Sara Hernandez Arroyo is Professor and Researcher in the area of ​​Spanish Language at the Department of Hispanic, Classical Philology and Arabic and Oriental Studies and Maria Yazmina Lozano Mas is Assistant Professor, PhD in Social Sciences Teaching both at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria