The Impact of Emotions on Students
How emotions impact learning: by Mr. Mason Tackett
Can emotions impact learning?
Every teacher will have a child who at some point will say, " I can't do this! " Little would this child realize that the more upset they get, they'll have an even harder time learning. This basically means that emotions play a major part in a child's education.
How emotions impact learning
When a child walks into school, he or she may feel happy. That child will be more likely to have a better time learning, because happiness creates an atmosphere where the brain doesn't have anything to be worried about, and the reticular activating system part of the brain opens up to where more learning topics can enter the mind. If a student is feeling upset or anxious, the reticular activating system won't open up as much as it would during a state of happiness, because of the brain already having something else going on.
What effects does this have on a kid?
Children are told that they are in control of what they learn. This is basically true, because a child has a choice on how they feel. If a particular kid chooses to be happy, his learning experience will be better because of his open and ready reticular activating system.
Talking students into maintaining happiness
Someone who says, " I can't solve this problem! " is going to have a harder time with that problem, because their emotions won't open the reticular activating system enough. A person who says, " I'll try again, I can do it! " is maintaining the right emotional state because that person has confidence in himself. To have a better time learning, you should talk yourself into a state of happiness. To do that, you need to think positive on what you are doing. For example, say to yourself that you can do it. Positiveness helps open the reticular activating system, as positiveness is a type of happiness.
Sources used
Bakken, H. B. (2014, October 1). Happy Farmer, Happy Cow. Retrieved from http://sciencenordic.com/happy-farmer-happy-cow
Compass, C. (1997, Winter). Emotions and your brain. Retrieved from http://www.sedl.org/pubs/classroom-compass/cc_v3n2.pdf