Hi everyone! Today, we’re going to learn about something interesting that happens when we get scared. It’s called the “fight or flight” response. Let’s dive in and see what it’s all about!
Have you ever been scared and felt like you wanted to run away really fast? Or maybe you felt like you wanted to fight back? That’s your fight or flight response kicking in! It’s something that happens to all animals, including us, when we feel scared. Our brains and bodies react quickly to help us get to safety.
When we get scared, our brains decide if we should fight or run away. If it chooses “fight,” we might feel angry and ready to scare away whatever is frightening us. If it chooses “flight,” we feel even more scared and want to run away as fast as we can. We don’t really choose this ourselves; our brains and bodies just react without us thinking about it.
Our brains are trying to protect us by getting us to safety quickly. When we’re scared, our brains send signals all over our bodies to prepare for action. Our heart and lungs work faster to give our muscles energy, and our eyes focus better to see things more clearly. This helps us either fight or run away until we’re safe.
After the fight or flight response, we might feel tired, hungry, or thirsty. That’s because our bodies used a lot of energy getting ready to react. Once we realize everything is okay, our brains let us think clearly again, and we might notice how much energy we used.
If you ever feel scared, taking deep breaths can help. Try breathing in deeply and then letting it out slowly. This can help your brain stay calm and keep you from feeling too scared. It’s a simple trick that can make a big difference!
Thanks for learning with us today! Remember, it’s okay to feel scared sometimes, and now you know a little more about why it happens. If you want to keep learning and having fun, make sure to check out more videos with us. See you next time!
Animal Observation: Go outside or look out your window and observe animals like birds, squirrels, or even pets. Watch how they react when they hear a loud noise or see something unexpected. Do they run away, or do they stand their ground? Draw a picture of what you see and share it with your friends or family. Discuss how these animals might be using their fight or flight response.
Role-Playing Game: With a friend or family member, play a game where you pretend to be different animals. One person can make a sudden noise or movement, and the other person has to decide quickly whether to “fight” or “flight.” Afterward, talk about how it felt to make that decision and what your body did. Did your heart beat faster? Did you feel like running?
Calm Breathing Practice: Practice the deep breathing technique mentioned in the lesson. Sit comfortably and take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for a moment, and then slowly breathe out through your mouth. Do this five times and notice how your body feels. Share with someone how this practice might help you when you feel scared or nervous.
