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Awareness skills
1. What is fear?
you are at lesson 1Go to Awareness lesson 2Go to Awareness lesson 3Go to Awareness lesson 4Go to Awareness lesson 5Go to Awareness lesson 6Go to Awareness lesson 7go to Awareness lesson 8

Key ideas
1. Fear is necessary for safety.
2. Both mind and body are involved in fear.
3. Each of us reacts differently in what we tell ourselves and what we feel when we are afraid.
4. Fear can be based on right or wrong information.
5. Fear can cloud good judgment.

Activity
Ask children to define what "fear" means. What does it mean to "be afraid?" List their ideas on a chalkboard. Introduce the idea that our minds tell us to be afraid. Sometimes what our minds tell us is not true. In some cases it is. Create a definition of "fear" using their own words. Ask children to identify the different ways our bodies react when we feel fear (gastrointestinal, skeletal-muscular, cardiovascular). Each of us will react differently when afraid. Some people may feel sick to their stomachs; others may have a dry mouth; others make shivver. Review our thoughts about fear on our Q&A page.

Ask children to give examples of fear based on the definition created. In each example, ask children, "Is this fear based on good or bad judgment? How relevant is fear in these circumstances? (create your own too)

You are afraid when you see an ant crawling on the sidewalk.
You feel afraid when approaching the edge of a cliff.
You are afraid when the weatherman announces a tornado is approaching your town.
You are afraid when a bully threatens you.
You are afraid when you see a new classmate who just moved to your town.
You feel afraid when you see a strange dog.

Everyone can think for themselves about whether their fear is reasonable or unreasonable. If a fear is reasonable, talk about why it is important to have. Fear can provide energy to the body. Fear can help us avoid danger. In the examples just identified, what use is fear?

Introduce the idea of "emotional highjacking" to your children. Emotional highjacking occurs when our fear (or any strong emotion) takes control of their minds and bodies. This is what happens when someone has a temper tantrum or panics. Emotional highjacking is never good because it robs us of the opportunity to make good decisions.

Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion for this lesson? Go to the author contact page.
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maphttp://www.ksu.edu/wwparent/programs/hero/hero-aware-1.htm--Revised June 13, 2005
Copyright © 1996-2005 Charles A. Smith. All rights reserved.