ABSTRACT
This study examined the links between emotion, language, and executive functions (EFs) in 253 children aged 5–9, and assessed a 4-month emotional skills training programme. Pre- and post-intervention assessments covered emotion comprehension, vocabulary, expressive language and hot/cold EFs. Results showed the programme significantly improved overall emotion comprehension (especially mentalistic and reflective components), emotional vocabulary and specific expressive verbal skills. Regarding cold EFs, improvements occurred in planning, reasoning, attention and flexibility, varying by age. For hot EFs, the training reduced externalised behaviours (opposition, hyperactivity/impulsivity) in older children, but had limited impact on internalised or prosocial behaviours. Gender effects were minimal and age-dependent. These findings highlight the value of emotional skills training for children’s cognitive and emotional development, suggesting promising educational applications. Future research should explore these impacts across diverse developmental trajectories and educational contexts.