Intelligence, speech and emotion

An emotion is a state expressing a person’s attitude to surrounding events and to themselves: joy, interest, fear, anger, sorrow, shame. They can be positive or negative, but both are natural and normal. Emotions show in facial expression, tone of voice, gesture and manner, and these expressions are mostly similar among all peoples. During emotion heartbeat, breathing and sweating change: the body prepares for the situation. Emotions are linked to the diencephalon and cerebral hemispheres (especially frontal and temporal lobes); the frontal lobe helps regulate them. Emotions cannot be “switched off”, but one can learn how to express them: pausing and breathing, counting, telling a trusted adult, physical activity and creative work help. If heavy sadness, fear or anger lasts for many days, it is good to turn to trusted adults, a school psychologist or a doctor: that is a sign of strength. Noticing others’ feelings and having empathy, and not mocking them, is part of good manners.