It’s not just about intelligence or effort—your child’s emotions can either fuel or block their ability to learn. Because how they feel determines how they learn.
Learning doesn’t happen in a empty . Every time a child faces a new academic challenge, their emotions play a key role in their ability to retain information, stay focused, and solve problems. Have you ever noticed how your child easily remembers something they were excited about, but forgets what they studied without enthusiasm?
That’s no coincidence. Science has shown that the brain learns best when it feels safe, motivated, and emotionally engaged. On the other hand, when a child experiences anxiety, frustration, or fear of failure, their learning capacity is disrupted.
In this article, we explore the importance of emotional education, what neuroscience says about how emotions impact learning, and how the RULER approach—implemented in schools like Newport School—is helping children manage their emotions and develop a growth mindset.
How do emotions influence your child? A real case from the classroom
1.1. How do emotions affect learning?
- What does science say about emotions in children? Different perspectives
- Social-Emotional approaches in schools: What is RULER and how does it improve children’s emotional education?
3.1. Practical RULER tools to develop emotional intelligence
1. The importance of emotions in learning
Emotions don’t just influence a child’s mood—they affect their academic performance, their ability to socialize, and their overall well-being.
When a child is happy and motivated, their brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances memory and learning.. In contrast, when they feel anxious or stressed, their brain goes into “survival mode”, activating the amygdala, which prioritizes safety over logical thinking.
How do emotions affect learning?
Emotions aren’t something we can simply “turn off” to learn. In fact, they’re deeply connected to every cognitive process involved in learning: attention, memory, motivation, understanding, and problem-solving.
Positive emotions: a boost for learning
When a child feels joy, curiosity, enthusiasm, or interest, their brain enters an optimal state for learning. These emotions trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin—neurotransmitters that strengthen neural connections, improve memory, and boost motivation.
Positive emotions also expand the brain’s capacity to think flexibly, make new connections, find creative solutions, and maintain attention for longer periods. That’s why children who feel emotionally safe and motivated tend to engage more, retain what they’ve learned, and enjoy the learning process.
📌 Example: A child who feels excited while participating in a hands-on science experiment is more likely to remember the concept than if they had simply read about it without emotional engagement.
Negative emotions: a barrier to learning
On the other hand, emotions such as fear, anxiety, frustration, or sadness activate the amygdala—a part of the brain that acts like an emotional alarm system. When this happens, the brain focuses on “emotional survival”, reducing access to higher-order cognitive functions like concentration, working memory, or logical reasoning.
This means that a child who feels anxious before a test or scared of making mistakes in front of others will not only feel uncomfortable but will also genuinely struggle to think clearly and learn effectively.. If these emotions become frequent, the child may begin to associate certain subjects or school settings with distress, developing a lasting aversion to learning.
📌 Example: A child who regularly feels judged while reading aloud may eventually avoid reading altogether—not because they lack ability, but because their emotional experience has been negative.
A study from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that children who feel safe and emotionally supported in the classroom are 31% more likely to improve their academic performance compared to those who experience ongoing stress.
This is why both schools and families must foster emotionally safe environments where children can develop emotional skills alongside academic ones.
2. What does science say about emotions in children? Different perspectives
Emotions have been studied from multiple disciplines—and they all agree on one key point: emotions are not a side element of learning, they’re an essential part of it.
🔹 Cognitive neuroscience
Studies show that emotions directly influence the function of the hippocampus, a brain structure essential for memory and learning. When a child feels curious or joyful, their brain becomes more active and enhances retention.
🔹 Developmental Psychology
Jean Piaget, a pioneer in the study of child development, asserted that learning occurs through interaction with the environment and that emotions affect how children process information.
🔹 Socioemotional Education
Approaches such as RULER (Yale University) have shown that integrating emotional education into classroom reduces school anxiety and improves academic performance.
🔹 Recent studies
Research by the American Psychological Association (APA) reveals that children who receive emotional education are 11% more likely to get better grades and 20% less likely to exhibit behavioral issues.
3. Social-emotional approach in schools: What is RULER and how does it improve emotional education in children?
RULER is an emotional intelligence program developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, led by Dr. Marc Brackett.
🔹 How did RULER begin?
RULER is the result of over 25 years of research on the relationship between emotions and learning. Yale researchers found that children who receive structured emotional education perform better academically, show fewer behavior problems, and report higher levels of well-being.
🔹 Why does RULER work?
Effective emotional learning doesn’t happen spontaneously—it must be taught systematically. RULER provides tools and strategies to integrate emotional education into both school and home life.
🔹 What does RULER mean?
RULER is an acronym for five key skills:
- Recognizing emotions in oneself and others by perceiving emotional cues (physical signals, facial expressions, tone of voice, etc.)
- Understanding the causes and consequences of emotions—that is, knowing why we feel a certain way and how those feelings affect our behavior.
- Labeling emotions precisely by naming and categorizing them using a broad emotional vocabulary. (For example, distinguishing between feeling “irritated,” “frustrated,” or “furious” instead of using the generic term “angry.”)
- Expressing emotions appropriately by communicating them effectively and in a socially suitable way, according to the context and cultural norms. This involves learning how to express or share what we feel—whether verbally or through gestures—in an assertive way.
- Regulating emotions by developing strategies to manage intense feelings and adapt them to everyday situations. It means responding to emotions instead of reacting impulsively—for example, calming ourselves in moments of anxiety or channeling frustration in a constructive way.
This method helps children and adolescents not only identify how they feel but also learn how to manage their emotions effectively.
3.1. Practical RULER tools to develop emotional intelligence
RULER is not just a theory—it offers practical tools for teachers and students to use every day.
3.1.1. Mood Meter
The Mood Meter is one of the most powerful tools in the RULER approach. It’s a color-coded chart that helps children identify how they feel.
🔴 Red quadrant: High-energy, unpleasant emotions (e.g., anger, anxiety).
🟡 Yellow quadrant: High-energy, pleasant emotions (e.g., enthusiasm, happiness).
🔵 Blue quadrant: Low energy and unpleasant emotions (e.g., sadness, fatigue).
🟢 Green quadrant: Low-energy, pleasant emotions (e.g., calm, contentment).
📌 How it’s used?
At the beginning of class, students indicate where they are on the Mood Meter. This helps teachers gauge the emotional climate and adjust their approach if needed.
3.1.2. Blueprint
It helps children develop empathy and strategies to resolve conflicts. Students answer questions such as:
- How do I feel and why?
- How does the other person feel and why?
- What can I do to improve the situation?
3.1.3. Meta-Moment
When a child feels an intense emotion, they learn to pause before reacting impulsively. This helps make more mindful decisions and reduce conflicts in the classroom.
3.1.4. Charter
A group agreement where students decide how they want to feel in class and what behaviors will support that emotional climate.
3.2. How we implement RULER at Newport School?
At Newport School, we’ve integrated RULER into our daily curriculum to ensure that our students:
📌 Learn to recognize and manage their emotions using practical tools.
📌 Have teachers trained in emotional education.
📌 Receive consistent support at school and at home, thanks to family collaboration.
The RULER routine at the start of every class
To create optimal conditions for learning, every class starts with an emotional check-in using the RULER method.
1️⃣ The teacher starts the session with the Mood Meter
- Before class begins, students identify how they’re feeling using the Mood Meter. This helps build emotional awareness and allows the teacher to adjust the classroom dynamic based on the group’s emotional state.
2️⃣ Identifying emotions in the classroom
- If several students are in the blue quadrant (feeling sad or unmotivated), the teacher can lead a quick activity to boost their mood.
- If there’s a high level of anxiety (red quadrant), the teacher can implement a reflective pause using the Meta-Moment.
3️⃣ Emotional Charter
- Students are reminded of the group agreement about how they want to feel in the classroom and what behaviors will support that goal.
4️⃣ Start of the learning session
- With a regulated emotional environment, students are ready to learn.
This approach reduces stress, improves focus, and fosters a positive atmosphere in the classroom.
4. Teaching children to manage emotions: tips for parents Tips to apply at home
Emotional education starts at home—from the earliest years of life. These years are critical for children’s emotional development. During this stage, the foundation is laid for how children will manage their emotions and how they will interpret the world around them.
Here are some recommendations parents can follow:
✅ Model healthy emotional regulation: Children learn by watching adults. Expressing emotions assertively teaches them to do the same.
✅ Validate emotions: Instead of saying “Don’t be sad,” try “I see you’re feeling sad. Do you want to talk about it?”.
✅ Teach self-regulation techniques: Deep breathing and reflection pauses help children calm down before reacting.
Below we share with you a fundamental tool for managing emotions at home—a kit you can easily download and use to help your child calm down and express their emotions.
Design your own calm corner: A space to feel at peace – Newport School | Redcol Schools The Evolution of Education
5. Parent testimonials
“Valentina was 7 years old and very reserved. She was sweet and thoughtful, but struggled to approach classmates, start conversations, or express how she felt. During recess, she would often be alone, and in class, she avoided group activities
That began to change when she started at Newport School. Every morning, her teacher would ask how they were feeling and help them name their emotions. It was the first time Valentina really thought about how she felt—and why it was hard to connect with others.
Her teachers patiently supported her and helped classmates empathize with her through RULER-based strategies. Little by little, Valentina began to speak up more, raise her hand in class, laugh with other kids.
Now, not only does she have friends, but she knows how to communicate with them, resolve disagreements, and express her feelings without fear. As a mom, I couldn’t ask for more.”
Newport Mother
Conclusion
Emotions are a key part of the learning process. The RULER approach, implemented in schools like Newport School, has proven to be an effective tool for teaching children to understand and regulate their emotions—positively impacting their well-being and academic performance.
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📌 Emotions are key in education. Discover how , as pioneers in Colombia in implementing this curriculum, we apply RULER to strengthen the emotional wellbeing of our students here.
📌 Schedule a visit and discover why Newport School is one of the best schools of Bucaramanga here.
📌 The importance of emotions in early childhood.
📌 Benefits of RULER, emotional intelligence program
📌 How to educate children in emotional intelligence?
Help your child understand what they’re feeling!
A resource designed to use at home, strengthen the bond and grow together emotionally.
