CDL's Emotional Functioning and Behavior Page

Emotions are the feelings that color our lives and allow us to experience all of the joys and sorrows of life. Dr. Paul Ekman, an expert in the field of emotions, has identified four core emotions that are universally experienced and recognized: fear, anger, sadness and enjoyment. While enjoyment is a desirable emotion that can enhance learning, fear, anger and sadness are not, and can interfere with learning.

Emotions are cognitive processes that originate in the brain, specifically in a small structure located in the middle of the brain between the lower center or brainstem that regulates more basic body functions and the higher center or cortex that regulates more complex functions and thought. The brain interprets and directs our emotions and behavior. Priscilla Vail, an expert on learning, has described emotion as the "on-off switch to learning". According to Mrs. Vail, when the switch is off, the system is inactive and only the potential for learning is available. When the switch is on, the pathway to learning is open.

Children who are experiencing feelings of anxiety, anger or depression are far less likely to be successful in school than children who are happy. These negative feelings diminish the efficiency of cognitive processes such as attention and memory and can affect students' interactions with others. Conversely, if children are having difficulty with cognitive processes such as attention, memory and/or language, their emotional well-being is diminished, and learning suffers. Identifying a student's emotional and behavioral strengths and weaknesses is critical in developing a student's comprehensive learning profile.

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