You know the theme from Jaws that plays when a person is swimming, and Jaws is circling?  The orchestra kind of lets the viewers know by the sound that the person in the water is about to become chum.  And even though we cannot see the shark, we know that it is coming.  That is anticipation – and it projects for the movie watcher what is more likely than not to happen next.  So, wouldn’t it be great if we could have such background music playing in our lives?  Like when we walk into the store and look at the scratch tickets.  If the price is right, the winning song queues up, we’d know it’s time to buy.    Walk into the restaurant, and Etta James sparks up; you know your soulmate is in range.

These sounds, these songs – at times, they are the kickoff of our thoughts and sometimes even our emotions.    Ever wonder why this is?  Simple.  Our emotions are directly impacted by what is happening around us – and believe it or not, our moods and emotions can be contagious…and so can those of others.  Ever walk into your house all excited about something, and rather than be greeted by someone sharing your moment, you get the opposite.  Perhaps someone pissed off about something?  Yeah, that stinks.  Or how about having all sorts of excitement about going somewhere or doing something, and your Sig-O is just too tired? 

If you didn’t know this, I am sorry to be the one to inform you.  Whether we like it or not, the people we are with often mirror our sadness, anger, excitement, or joy.  And the reciprocal is also true.  They can be mirrors of ours.  This is why, if you are generally happy and energetic, a constant whiner or complainer kind of makes you want to puke. One book calls them infectors.  These people are kryptonite-like individuals who the longer you are away from, the better things get…for you. 

But please, do not hear what I am not saying.  We all have our ups and downs, and we all need to have people around us to provide a sense of safety and care.  You know, pick you up when you’re down, make you happy when you are blue – that is a rip from the U-Krew. I am just saying that it might be a great idea to only be with those with crystalized negativity in small doses.  Because…it is contagious.  And despite the scientific ability to provide vaccines for specific contagions and even pandemics now, I regret to inform you that there is none for this.  Just google Emotional Contagion Effect to see more about what I mean. 

You might realize that you’ve been subjected to this effect at some point in your life.  Probably everyone has at one time or another.  And since you can bring yourself to how that made you feel, I’d now like you to think about how our emotions and feelings impact our children in our schools and homes.  At the earliest of ages – like months old – our children can pick up on what we are feeling.  And our smiles bring their smiles.  And our frowns even bring their tears. 

In public schools, the impact of emotional contagion among children is especially profound. Picture a classroom buzzing with excitement: one child's enthusiasm about a project can quickly spread, lighting up the room with energy and eagerness to participate. However, the opposite is also true. A student's visible frustration or sadness can cast a shadow over the class, dampening the collective mood. With their still-developing emotional regulation skills, children are particularly susceptible to these emotional waves. They absorb the emotions of their peers like sponges, often mirroring the feelings and behaviors they observe. This phenomenon highlights the importance of fostering a positive, supportive school environment where positive emotions can be cultivated and spread, enhancing the overall learning experience.

However, emotional contagion in schools isn't just limited to peer interactions; it also extends to the relationships between students and teachers. A teacher's mood can set the tone for the entire classroom. An enthusiastic, positive teacher can make students feel more engaged, curious, and motivated. Conversely, if a teacher is consistently stressed or negative, this can create an atmosphere of tension and unease, affecting students' ability to concentrate and learn. This dynamic underscores educators' critical role in shaping their classrooms' emotional climate. Teachers must be aware of their own emotional states and their impact on their students, striving to provide a stable and encouraging learning environment.

The implications of emotional contagion in schools go beyond the classroom walls, influencing the broader school culture. A school where positivity, kindness, and empathy are the norm can become a haven for students, a place where they feel safe, valued, and happy. This positive environment not only enhances academic performance but also contributes to students' overall well-being and mental health. On the other hand, a school environment where negative emotions are prevalent can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even bullying. Therefore, it's vital for school leaders and educators to actively foster a culture of positivity, understanding, and support, recognizing the powerful role emotional contagion plays in the lives of their students.

I should also mention that all of the above applies to our kids in our homes.  Stay positive my friends – make that the contagion.