Emotional Literacy and Self-Awareness in Adolescents: Exploring Brené Brown's Atlas of the Heart for Schools

Abstract

Adolescents must develop emotional literacy and self-awareness as they navigate the complexities of a world rife with environmental crises, political turmoil, and societal injustices. Emotional literacy involves the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's emotions and the emotions of others, which is particularly important in a world where adolescents are exposed to a range of emotional stimuli, from the traumatic effects of climate change to the disorienting impact of political polarization and systemic inequalities. Correspondingly, self-awareness involves reflecting on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to understand how they impact oneself and others, cultivating a sense of agency and purpose that enables positive contributions in different settings. The present analysis explores the possible use of Brené Brown's Atlas of the Heart to develop emotional literacy and self-awareness in students. Emotional maps are defined, and their importance in navigating emotions is discussed. The Atlas of the Heart book is introduced, and the various emotions and feelings are explained. The analysis also offers guidance on implementing the Atlas of the Heart to students, including those with exceptionalities, and provides examples of activities that can be used to develop emotional literacy and self-awareness. The benefits of developing emotional literacy and self-awareness in students are also discussed. Finally, potential challenges for implementing the Atlas of the Heart in classrooms and suggestions for overcoming them are presented. The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of using the Atlas of the Heart to develop emotional literacy and self-awareness in adolescents.