Exploring emotions: tools and practices for greater self-awareness- UNIPA

The third Italian teacher implemented a tool involving 16 students aged 15 to 16, introducing a program specifically dedicated to emotional awareness that was integrated into the school curriculum.

Through a workshop-based approach, students had the opportunity to delve into the subject of emotions, using various practical tools to observe, analyze, and represent their own experiences.

The activities enabled them to recognize and name emotions, analyze the facial expressions and bodily signals associated with different emotional states, and assess their intensity using tools such as the “emotion thermometer.”

Particular attention was also paid to the graphic and verbal representation of personal experiences and the use of an “Emotion Diary” as a space for individual reflection and self-observation.

Compared to experiences with younger students, the teacher observed particularly significant results in this instance. The students demonstrated that they had acquired skills related to emotional intelligence, and the classroom atmosphere became progressively more relaxed.

Increased empathy was also observed—particularly among the girls—along with a strengthening of group bonds. The experience thus appears to have had an impact not only on individual awareness but also on the quality of relationships and the classroom climate.