Improve Focus and Learning by Tuning into your Feelings to Reduce Emotional Distractions
By Debbie Woodford
The children walked into my class, sat down and ready to dive into our Speech and Educational Drama lesson. Upon hearing their name being called, each child would have to stand up and perform any action they desire. When I called out Edward's name, there was no response. That was when I realised he was not in class. I asked his classmates if he was absent but they all replied, "No, he is still outside."
I started the class and about 20 minutes later, Edward walked into the class with his head down and shoulders drooping. He proceeded to sit quietly in a corner of the classroom. I stopped the lesson, got the children to sit down and made my way to Edward. He was obviously very sad. I asked him why he was late in coming for class. He said he needed to finish eating his meal before he could join in my class. I applauded him for having finished his meal which gave his body the nourishment it needed. But why was he sad? I tried guessing the reason but he would shake his head each time.
I had My Feelings 'R' My FriendsTM cards with me and laid them out on according to the six different emotional categories. Edward looked at the cards and could immediately identify with the Sad stack. He looked at the cards and started flipping through them. As a six-year-old who was still learning how to read, Edward asked me to read out the cards to him. We went through each one ... Tired, Ashamed, Bored, Lonely, Disappointed ... THAT'S IT! Edward pointed to the Disappointed card and said, "That's what I feel. I feel disappointed that I didn't get enough time to enjoy your class like my friends because I came in late."
I gave Edward a hug and asked him what he could do better next time during meal time so he could be on time for his class. He immediately replied he would not dilly-dally when he takes his meal next time. I was glad to have the cards as a tool to help Edward identify his primary emotion and discover the message and gift behind his unpleasant feeling.
"Sadness is a mask ... it covers up your true feelings like being lonely, rejected, disappointed or ashamed. It's a way of dealing with a situation when you haven't processed the real feeling behind it."
Having Edward shared his deep feeling of being disappointed on missing out allowed us to find the underlying issue of him being distracted during meal time and thus slow in finishing his meal. Knowing the root cause of the issue allowed him to learn what to do to be better next time. Having him process his emotional distractions also enabled him to focus and learn better thereafter.
Edward was able to participate fully for the rest of the lesson, as he always did, eager and joyful.
Indeed, to improve focus and learning, reduce emotional distractions by tuning in to them so you can free up your limited attentional resources.
