---
title: "Emotions and decision-making"
description: "Understand how emotions influence thinking and decision-making: strong feelings can cloud judgement, we often make different choices when calm versus when upset, and recognising this gives us more con"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/emotions-and-decision-making-mt_KA5j5OeGvw
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/emotions-and-decision-making-mt_KA5j5OeGvw.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Emotions and decision-making

Understand how emotions influence thinking and decision-making: strong feelings can cloud judgement, we often make different choices when calm versus when upset, and recognising this gives us more control.

Subject: Personal & Social Development · Area: Emotional Literacy · Ages 9 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/emotions-and-decision-making-mt_KA5j5OeGvw

## Ready when they can

- Give an example of a time a strong emotion led them or someone else to a poor decision
- Explain the idea of 'cooling off' before making an important choice
- Describe how the same situation looks different when you're calm versus upset

## Lesson: When big feelings take the wheel

You have learned that feelings can come with body clues. Strong feelings can also affect what you notice and the choices you consider. Anger might make you want to act quickly. It does not make the choice for you. Pausing can help you think about what your action might do.

*(drawing: For a choice that can wait, cooling off means pausing to feel calmer before deciding.)*

**Example.** Jamal's brother knocks over his tower. Angry, Jamal thinks the whole afternoon is ruined and wants to grab a toy. He pauses. Later, the tower still needs repair, but Jamal can see another option: ask his brother to help rebuild it. Feeling calmer changes how he sees the problem.

Cooling off means pausing to feel calmer before a choice that can wait. Try a slow breath, counting slowly or taking a safe break. Then check your options and their likely effects. Waiting alone does not guarantee calm or a good choice. Ask for help if needed. If someone is in danger, get help now rather than waiting.

**Recap.** Strong feelings can influence a choice. Pause safely, check your options and their effects, then decide.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Stop, Think, Then Choose](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/stop-think-then-choose-mt_RhntJz7p_6)
- [How emotions feel in your body](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/how-emotions-feel-in-your-body-mt_Ytd8XC3eQr)

## Opens up

- [Resilience and Bouncing Back](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/resilience-and-bouncing-back-mt_Amw5ikSSQI)
- [Emotional Patterns Over Time](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/emotional-patterns-over-time-mt_cEQqskOaoo)
- [Brain science of emotions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/brain-science-of-emotions-mt_gf4RUcACLg)