Why it's Important?

It is important that children feel comfortable enough to express their emotions to their friends, family, peers, teachers, etc. inside the classroom, out on the playground, and at their home.  "Many of the problems in modern society are due, to people being unable to understand and appropriately express emotion. Emotional literacy is a preventive tool, which can help solve many social ills -- violence, illness, drug abuse, dysfunctional relationships, and global societal conflicts." http://www.feel.org/emotional_literacy.php.

By helping children express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions verbally and in writing, you can guide them toward emotional literacy, and a foundation to succeed in school.  Additionally, helping children express their thoughts and feelings through writing, whether it is in short stories, poems, or letters, their language can become a way to support their ability to deal with a peer, with conflict, with sad or scary feelings.  The words can help children sort out their feelings, and come to terms with their own behavior. http://www.childcareaware.org/en/subscriptions/areyouaware/article.php?id=19