April 4, 2025

Developing Emotional Intelligence in Young Learners at Ascot

Ascot International School Bangkok is committed to nurturing not just academic excellence but also the emotional intelligence of its young learners. Ascot’s approach combines a holistic curriculum, dedicated programs, and mindful teaching practices that promote self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and strong interpersonal skills.

The school’s philosophy emphasises well-being and the development of the “whole child,” supported by both an International Baccalaureate (IB) framework and a caring community ethos. Ascot British International School fosters emotional intelligence through its curriculum and extracurricular programs, teaching strategies, school mission, use of social-emotional learning (SEL) frameworks, and evidence of outcomes.

Curriculum and Programs Supporting Social-Emotional Development

Ascot embeds social and emotional learning into its curriculum and extracurricular offerings to ensure students develop key emotional intelligence skills alongside academics. As an IB World School, Ascot delivers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–12, which explicitly focuses on developing the whole child “emotionally, socially, ethically, and intellectually.

This inquiry-based curriculum goes beyond rote learning to cultivate personal growth; students are encouraged to reflect on concepts like connection, change, and responsibility, seeing how their actions fit into a larger social context.

In practice, Ascot’s PYP uses play-based and experiential learning to build social skills: teachers design hands-on activities and group projects where children must collaborate, share, negotiate, and solve problems together. This cooperative learning not only reinforces academic concepts but also helps students learn to communicate effectively and develop empathy for peers as they work through the social dynamics of group tasks.

Ascot International School also offers a wide range of extracurricular programs that foster social-emotional growth. The school believes in educating well-rounded individuals and balancing academics with sports, arts, and other activities that teach life skills and character. For example, the Ascot Football Academy and Sports Academy programs engage students in team sports like football, basketball, volleyball, and even martial arts such as Muay Thai. Through these activities, learners practice teamwork, discipline, respect, and resilience in real-life settings.

Creative clubs (e.g. drama, music, Glee club, dance) and service initiatives are also part of the co-curricular menu, giving students opportunities to express themselves and develop social skills in diverse contexts. Ascot deliberately integrates such programs to complement academic learning, helping students develop a balanced and well-rounded character. Notably, the school’s house system and student organisation activities encourage cross-age collaboration, leadership, and community spirit, further contributing to interpersonal skill development.

To support students’ emotional well-being during the school day, Ascot has a robust pastoral care system. Every student has an assigned class teacher and form tutor who together monitor both academic progress and personal development. Tutors meet with their pupils daily during homeroom and hold weekly sessions for goal-setting and check-ins.

During these meetings, students can voice concerns, discuss feelings or challenges, and celebrate achievements in a safe environment. If any social or emotional issues arise, the tutor liaises with parents and, when needed, escalates to pastoral leaders or counsellors, ensuring each child is holistically supported.

This system means there is always a trusted adult “in the student’s corner,” a fact that both the school and parents value in maintaining student well-being. Through such curriculum integration, activities, and pastoral programs, Ascot creates multiple avenues for young learners to practice and strengthen their emotional and social competencies daily.

Teaching Strategies for Emotional Intelligence Development

Teachers at Ascot employ purposeful teaching strategies to cultivate self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills among their students. One cornerstone practice is mindfulness exercises built into the routine.

Students engage in age-appropriate mindfulness activities such as guided breathing, meditation, or short yoga sessions which help them manage stress, centre their attention, and recognise their own emotions. These calming techniques are often part of Ascot’s SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) activities and are proven to improve focus and emotional self-regulation in the classroom. For example, an Ascot student might start the day with a brief mindfulness moment led by the teacher, allowing them to transition into learning with a relaxed and positive mindset.

Cooperative learning is also deliberately used to foster empathy and social skills. Teachers frequently organise students into small groups or pairs for projects and problem-solving tasks. During these collaborative activities, children practice communicating their ideas, listening to peers, sharing roles, and resolving any conflicts that arise. Ascot teachers act as facilitators, coaching students through teamwork challenges and prompting them to consider others’ perspectives.

Role-playing and class meetings are additional techniques: in some lessons, students might role-play scenarios (such as being a community helper or mediating a friendship issue) to safely explore empathy and ethical decision-making. By guiding students to navigate the social dynamics of group work and debriefing afterwards, teachers help learners internalise cooperation, respect, and kindness.

Over time, such approaches contribute to students becoming more confident in handling their own emotions and more considerate in their interactions with others.

School Philosophy and Mission Emphasising Emotional Well-Being

Ascot’s core philosophy and mission underscore the importance of emotional well-being and holistic education. The school’s guiding statements explicitly articulate a commitment to nurturing character and emotional health alongside academics. According to Ascot’s mission, “students develop according to their needs in a welcoming, family environment,” and the challenging curriculum helps them become “adaptable lifelong learners” with a strong sense of respect for themselves and others.

In practice, this means the school strives to create an atmosphere where every child feels safe, valued, and part of a “family”, a foundation for healthy emotional development. The vision reinforces this focus, aiming to be a community “focused on wellbeing and balanced lifestyles,” so that each graduate is “resilient, principled, and cares for the environment and others”. These traits, resilience, principled behavior, and care for others, align closely with emotional intelligence attributes like perseverance, integrity, and empathy.

Values of collaboration, communication, and respect are deeply ingrained in Ascot’s school culture and daily routines. Students are taught to practice these values in class and during extracurricular activities, which naturally promotes emotional and social skills.

At a strategic level, Ascot has explicitly identified well-being and belonging as pillars of its educational approach. In its 2024–2029 strategic plan, the school emphasises nurturing compassion and empathy through active engagement with the community and environment. One strategic pillar of “Well-being” focuses on purposeful learning experiences that highlight mental and emotional health, supported by initiatives like social-emotional learning (SEL) activities for students and staff.

Another pillar, “Belonging,” is about creating a safe, inclusive space for all, with anti-bullying policies and collaborative projects to ensure everyone feels welcome and valued. The outcome of these efforts, as the school envisions, is “well-rounded individuals who are responsible, empathetic, and adaptable to the complexities of a global society.” In essence, emotional well-being isn’t an afterthought at Ascot, it is woven into the school’s mission, daily values, and long-term vision for its students.

Outcomes and Evidence of Impact

Ascot’s comprehensive approach to social and emotional learning has shown tangible positive outcomes for its students. By prioritising well-being and emotional growth, the school has observed improvements in student behavior and school climate. In general, research indicates – and Ascot’s experience aligns, that a strong focus on student well-being correlates with a reduction in bullying incidents and improved student behaviour.” Within Ascot, the emphasis on mindfulness, respect, and support has helped cultivate a culture where students feel safe and supported, resulting in fewer disciplinary issues and a more inclusive environment.

The school’s zero-tolerance stance on bullying, combined with SEL programming and vigilant pastoral care, means that issues are addressed proactively. Students are not only aware of how to manage their own emotions, but they are also more likely to intervene positively or seek help when they see others in distress, contributing to a compassionate community.

Qualitative evidence of Ascot’s impact on emotional intelligence comes from student and parent testimonials. Many parents choose Ascot because it adopts a holistic approach that nurtures intellectual, emotional, and social growth from early years onward. They report that their children grow in confidence and empathy as well as academics.

The evidence suggests that Ascot International School’s deliberate focus on emotional intelligence yields well-rounded, emotionally intelligent young individuals. By age 12, Ascot students are not only academically prepared but also exhibit empathy, self-awareness, and resilience beyond their years.

This holistic development has been a point of pride for the school and a key reason why families love Ascot Bangkok for helping children thrive in all areas of life. As Ascot continues to refine its SEL initiatives and involve the whole community in this mission, it stands as a model of how international schools can foster emotional intelligence in young learners, preparing them for success and happiness in the future.

Join Ascot International School to give your child the academic excellence and emotional intelligence they need to thrive in life.

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An IB World School, accredited by CIS.