Emotion Potions

Sep 19

Whether or not we are aware, humans respond to their environments with as much logos, or logic, as they do pathos, or an emotional response. Think about it, how many sacrifices have you made for your friends or loved ones? Our emotions play a significant role in the choices that we make.

Maybe you decided that you’d be ten minutes late to work because your young child had a hard time saying goodbye. You decided that, because you love your child, you would rather spend an extra ten minutes comforting them with reassurance, hugs, and kisses before you went on your way. Logically, you might be in trouble with your boss, but emotionally, you just couldn’t bear to leave before you comforted them.

Perhaps your parental instincts told you that your comfort was most necessary because you know your child is still developing their ability to regulate emotions. As the brain develops, so does the ability to regulate emotions and make safe decisions.

Because emotional regulation is a huge learning process for the rapidly developing brain, you could equate this process to testing and smelling different potions. When you’re a child, your emotional responses to your surroundings will combine to make a potion! These feelings will mix together and begin to bubble up inside, and they might even be potions that they’ve never concocted before…

As these potions mix and bubble, the child begins to taste and sniff the mystery substance like an inquisitive scientist. They could say, “Ick! What is this rancid smell?”, or, ideally, they could love it and want to experience it again. The good news is, regardless of the potion, you have a unique role in helping them through the process. You can be the trusty sidekick to help them understand what they’re smelling and model the recipes to turn rotten concoctions into sweet-smelling perfumes.

Weekly TaleTree challenges that encourage campers to analyze the self and positive peer interactions serve as a science lab for scientists to test the perfect potion! During camps, kids can ask themselves, “will my friend appreciate my comment about their artwork?” and, “Do I like my friend’s artwork? If I do, how do I tell them?”. Campers are constantly testing their own ways to engage positively with their online friends.

Challenges and spontaneous creations alike serve as a testing space for kids to reflect on what emotions mean. Take a look at some of the week’s creations below: how do kids express their admiration for others? Perhaps they make a “Best Mommy” award for their parent or a drawing of their sister’s new soccer jersey. Art is a great way to work through emotions, whether mourning the loss of a beloved pet or admiring a family member.

Pinks, purples, yellows, and blues. Bubbling concoctions and colorful hues. Emotions are potions, a mysterious lot. Some are cold, and some are hot. Kaboom! Kablam! Mad scientists at work. Can we help find a formula with the right perks?

“‘Why can’t I drink the potion instead?” asked Harry. “Because I am much older, much cleverer, and much less valuable.” said Dumbledore.”’ - J.K Rowling

Draw a Food/ Feeling/ Emotion as a Person!

This week is all about testing our emotions. Look at how happy our campers feel!