Manage emotions well to learn

Article last edited on October 7th, 2017 by Admin

Why do emotions play a key role in learning? How to properly manage the emotions of a child or adolescent?

 The emotions

” education would be more effective if classrooms became learning societies, which actively put emotions and social relations at the service of the acquisition of knowledge. Dr. Carla Hanna Ford

Deborah Stipek, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Stantord University, points out that “ the student has a greater desire to explore new knowledge and to succeed academically when teachers offer him a reassuring relationship and is safe. »

In his book intelligence emotional, Daniel Goleman reports a very interesting study which evaluated on a sample of 910 pupils in elementary school class – representative sample of the United States – the teachers and the effects of their teaching styles on the results of the children “ at risk “.

 How were the good results achieved?

The best results have been obtained when teachers:

-Cared about their students and responded to their needs;

– created a positive atmosphere, talked pleasantly with the pupils and showed a lot of enthusiasm;

– showed affection and positive regard for children;

– organized their class well, giving pupils clear and precise goals, but flexible enough for them to conform to them on their own.

On the other hand, the results were poor when the teachers imposed their program without putting themselves at the level of the students or were too distant. These teachers were often more angry and had to resort frequently to punishments to restore discipline.

 What is an emotion?

The limbic brain plays a very important role in emotions. These emotions can be positive: confidence, pleasure, joy, enthusiasm, etc. But they can also be negative: anger, fear, sadness, anxiety, guilt, aggressiveness.

Emotions play a key role in learning

Negative emotions trigger negative stress that cuts the child off from his frontal lobes. The thinking brain of the child is put on hold. The amygdala of the limbic brain then takes over. It becomes impossible for the child to think clearly or reflect.This negative stress triggers an abundant secretion of the hormone adrenaline which causes restlessness, anxiety and difficulty in following the rules.

The difficulties encountered in learning are numerous: memory problems, difficulty concentrating and paying attention but also flight behavior (absenteeism, daydreaming), aggressiveness (verbal and/or physical violence), or inhibition (school blockages, memory lapses) .These many dysfunctions can only lead to school failure.

 Manage your child’s emotions well

When your child is very emotional – anger, aggression, discouragement, verbal abuse, etc. – do not try to reason with him or impose your point of view on him. He is a prisoner of his amygdala and can no longer control himself.Tell him that you understand him and that you are waiting for him to calm down so that you can resume a more positive and constructive discussion later.

Case: Louis Musso

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