Building Stronger Connections Through the Emotional Bank Account
At BCLR, we believe that every interaction counts and every relationship matters. Our “Emotional Bank Account” charts in classes, connect directly to our Leader in Me initiative and Habit 4 of highly effective students: Think Win-Win.
Just like a real bank account, an emotional bank account (EBA) grows when we make deposits, small acts of kindness, appreciation, honesty and respect. And it decreases with withdrawals, unkind words, broken promises, or misunderstandings. Through these visual charts, our young learners are beginning to understand that trust is built little by little, choice by choice.
The purpose of introducing Emotional Bank Accounts is simple yet powerful:
To help students reflect on their daily interactions.
To encourage them to be mindful of the impact of their actions.
To strengthen peer relationships by promoting empathy and responsibility.
To create classrooms where everyone feels valued, heard and respected.
Linking this practice with the Leader in Me framework empowers our students to become compassionate leaders—those who not only excel academically but also support and uplift others. As students move around the corridor displays, they see examples of deposits such as helping a friend, sharing materials, using kind words, or keeping promises. These reminders slowly become habits, shaping a culture of positivity across our school.
By nurturing these emotional accounts daily, we prepare our children for real-life leadership, one that is built on trust, collaboration and mutual respect. At BCLR, we don’t just teach students to lead; we teach them to lead with heart.