Triggers and Causes of Feelings
Understand that events, thoughts, memories and bodily needs can affect feelings, and begin to notice what may have brought on their own feelings
What a learner can do afterwards
- Describe something that brought on three different feelings in their own experience, when they can identify it
- Complete 'I felt ___ because ___' sentences using a reason they know
- Identify what brought on a character's feeling when the story gives that reason
1 · Read
A trigger is something that brings on a feeling. It might be an event, a thought or a memory. Being hungry or tired can affect feelings too. Sometimes you do not know why you feel a certain way. You can still name the feeling.
Mia's dog knocked over her tower. Mia said, 'I felt angry because my tower fell.' Then she stamped her foot. The tower falling was the trigger she named. Angry was her feeling. Stamping was her response, something she did afterward.
Ask, 'What might have brought on my feeling?' Think about what happened, what you were thinking and how your body felt. Something happening first does not always mean it caused the feeling. A trusted grown-up can help you think. You can say, 'I do not know yet.'
When you know the reason, try 'I felt ___ because ___.' Name the feeling before 'because' and its reason afterward. For example, 'I felt happy because my aunt visited.' Repeating the feeling does not explain its cause. Check which thing brought on the feeling.
Notice what may have brought on a feeling. Name the feeling, and give its reason when you know it.
This lesson, quiz and flashcards were written for this dataset about noticing possible causes of feelings.
These three original readings were written for this dataset about feelings and their possible causes.
More to read
Noticing a reason
Ravi was using a red crayon. Someone took it without asking. Ravi said, 'I feel angry because I was still using that crayon.' He named his feeling and its reason. Naming a reason can help another person understand you. It does not mean the feeling must stop right away.
A feeling and its reason
Sana said, 'I felt happy because my cousin came to play.' Happy is her feeling. Her cousin's visit is the reason she gives. Later Sana said, 'I felt sad because my cousin went home.' When you know a reason for your feeling, you can tell it too.
When you are unsure
You may feel upset without knowing why. Think about what happened, what you were thinking and how your body feels. Being hungry or tired can affect feelings. These are things to notice, not answers you must choose. You can tell a trusted grown-up, 'I feel upset. Can you help me think about it?'
2 · Watch
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Where it sits
Learn first
Nothing; this is a starting point.
Optional connections
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.