Brain Science for Kids - Thinking and Feeling

you know the brain isn't just a simple thinking machine the brain can think in different ways at different times let's have a look at two parts of the brain the job of the bottom bit down here is to keep you safe some people like to call it the downstairs brain when you are feeling threatened or scared it wakes up and sends you into action to help you keep safe this is the part of the brain where fear lives and worry and sometimes even anger and it's not just a human thing almost every creature on earth has a brain part just like this now this top part of the brain is a little bit more complicated and it's particularly busy in humans it's the part of the brain that helps us solve some really tricky problems this is where our sensible thinking works best it helps us solve problems using facts and clear reason it can also come up with some amazingly clever and creative ideas this is the part of the brain that has helped humans throughout history to build houses plan roads write stories invent electricity and create some amazing artwork music and technology another great talent of the upstairs brain is that it helps us plan and organize the things we need to do it can help us to get started on our schoolwork work out tricky maths problems get projects done stay persistent finish our work and even give it in to the teacher on time the brain is incredibly clever but it can't do all of these jobs at once so how does the brain decide what is important and what to focus on when we feel scared or threatened the downstairs brain automatically gets all of the attention this is great because it can keep us safe from danger when there is no time to wait imagine that a soccer ball is flying towards your head while you are chatting with your friends in the playground this is not a time to be thinking up a creative idea for your science project so the upstairs brain is not really needed in that moment instead it shuts down and gives all the energy to the downstairs brain this is a great plan because it's the downstairs brain that has the power to move you out of the way of that soccer ball really quickly the brain is really clever and useful like that what about all those times when you feel really scared but there's no actual danger to your body like when you are worried about giving a speech or getting in trouble the upstairs brain doesn't realize that your body is safe from harm but it still gives its energy to the downstairs brain so the worry part gets louder and the sensible part of the brain gets all covered up and mushed over and harder to connect with life can get pretty difficult when we can't connect with our sensible brain it can be really hard to make good decisions this is why it's harder to think straight when you are really worried or angry it can make our worries exaggerate or make our anger grow it can make us want to do things our way and only our way because our ways and ideas feel much safer the problem is it can cause fights with our friends especially if they want to do it their way when we can't connect with our sensible brain it also means that when our parents try to explain stuff to us we might not be able to listen properly and then arguments can grow bigger it's really really hard making good decisions when the sensible brain is hidden the good thing is once the downstairs brain calms down we can find our sensible brain again and can apologize for our actions or problem solve for next time often humans don't even realize which part of the brain is being loudest but if you get better at noticing which part of the brain is working in different situations you will find it easier to connect with a sensible part of the brain more often sometimes we can do this even though we are scared at the same time some kids can even notice that it's happening and ask their parents for help i'm not saying it's easy but it is possible and the better we get at it the easier life gets you

Channel: Curious Kids Psychology

Views: 25,464

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Id: 6Rn386arn08

Length: 4min 57sec (297 seconds)

Published: Tue Sep 14 2021