Understanding Excitement | TinyTraverse

Understanding Excitement | TinyTraverse

Excitement

Join the Emotion Explorers and learn about Excitement! Fun activities and tips for kids ages 5-11 to develop emotional intelligence with TinyTraverse.

Introduction

  • Imagine it's your birthday and you hear the doorbell ring. It's your best friend with a huge present just for you! That bubbling, tingly feeling inside is Excitement. Understanding this emotion helps us enjoy life's happy moments even more. Join TinyTraverse's Emotion Explorers to dive into the world of Excitement!

Definition

  • Excitement is a feeling of thrilled happiness when something good is about to happen or just happened. It's like having butterflies in your stomach or feeling electric racing through your veins. Some say it's like the sparkles you see in fireworks, as it lights up from within.

Recognition Signs

  • Jumping up and down with joy when receiving good news.
  • Having a big, bright smile that you can't seem to contain.
  • Talking really fast because you just can't wait to share something special.
  • Feeling your heart racing when something fun is about to happen.
  • Finding it hard to sit still when you’re buzzing with anticipation.

Science Explanation

  • When you're excited, your body releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters, like dopamine, which make you feel good. Your brain's reward system is activated, making you feel happy and energized. This is a natural response that helps motivate us to take action and experience rewarding activities. Everyday moments, such as opening a surprise gift or seeing a friend after a long time, can trigger this brain activity.

Coping Strategies

  • Take deep breaths to channel energy positively. Imagine you are breathing in calmness and breathing out excitement, which helps to balance your emotions.
  • Jump on the spot for 10 seconds if your body feels too excited to be calm. It releases energy and makes room for thinking clearly.
  • Talk to a friend or adult about what’s making you excited. Sharing helps it become a shared joy and less of a bottled-up urge.
  • Draw or write about your excitement in a journal. Creative expression can help channel the emotional energy positively.
  • Plan or write down what excites you so you can look forward to it, creating a rewarding anticipation rather than immediate impulsivity.

Explorer Activities

  • Create an Excitement Jar: Every time something exciting happens, write it on a piece of paper and place it in the jar. At the end of each week, read them together and relive the happy moments.
  • Excitement Dance: When you’re super excited, turn on your favorite song and dance it out! It’s a fun way to express your feelings through movement.
  • Story Swap: Swap stories with friends about times you felt super excited. How did it feel? What made it special? This builds empathy and sharing skills.
  • Excitement Art: Draw a picture that shows what your excitement looks like. Is it a colorful swirl or a bright starburst? Show your art to others and explain it.
  • Excitement Safari: Go on a mini-adventure in your backyard or local park and find things that make you excited. Is it a beautiful flower, a cool bug, or a funny-shaped cloud?

Story

  • Ella was about to perform on stage for the first time in the school play. Her heart was beating fast, imagining the applause of her friends and family. As the curtain rose, her excitement turned into a confident smile as she remembered her practice and the support she had. With each scene change, she felt a rush of joy, knowing she was doing something she loved.

Story Questions

  • What made Ella feel excited before going on stage?
  • How did Ella manage her excitement while standing in front of the audience?
  • Can you think of a time when you felt excited like Ella? What was it about?
  • Why is it important to have people support you when you are excited about something?
  • How do you think Ella felt after the performance? Why?

Emotion Vocabulary

  • undefined: Extremely happy about something exciting happening. (Example: She was thrilled to go to the amusement park.)
  • undefined: Showing excitement and interest to do something quickly. (Example: Tom was eager to open his birthday presents.)
  • undefined: To look forward to something eagerly. (Example: She anticipated the arrival of her new puppy.)
  • undefined: Feeling very happy and delighted. (Example: He felt elated when he won the game.)
  • undefined: Feeling full of energy and excitement. (Example: The classroom was buzzing with excitement on the last day of school.)

Tips for Grownups

  • Encourage children to express excitement by asking them to describe their feelings in words or art.
  • Model your own excitement positively and constructively, showing how you share good news and manage the physical energy that comes with it.
  • Provide opportunities for children to explore new things that may excite them, like new games, places, or friends.
  • Teach children to celebrate accomplishments and exciting news with friends and family, promoting a supportive and sharing community.
  • Discuss with children how excitement can motivate learning and exploring new things, making it a valuable emotion for personal growth.

Interactive Quiz

Current Score: 0 / 1

What is a common physical sign of excitement?

Conclusion

  • Excitement is a wonderful emotion that can fill our lives with joy and energy. By understanding and managing excitement, we can make the most of our happy moments. Keep exploring emotions with TinyTraverse's Emotion Explorers series to learn more about yourself and others.