The human brain is wired to respond to different facial expressions; am I in danger? Do I need to flee? Is this person safe and approachable? Does this person need my help?

When we see a happy face (drawn, doodled or real), our brain's mirror neurons fire up, creating a simulation of that smile. This triggers the release of our happy hormones and suppresses our stress hormones. Not only does this make us feel happier, we also feel stronger and more ready to face any challenges we might encounter in that moment. Christmas isn't always easy - a Christmas smile just might be the brightest light, or the greatest gift!


This paired activity will test the power of a smiley face.

Resources

A collection of drawn or doodled sad/angry and happy/smiley faces - You can doodle them right now on a bit of paper - get festive - maybe Santa, a smiley snowman or the Grinch?

The Activity

  1. Stood up, Partner 1 (P1) holds out their arm to the side, parallel to the floor. Partner 2 (P2) attempts to push their arm down, testing how much resistance there is (it is not a strength test between you both, but a measure of how much pressure is needed to push it down and how strong the resistance is).
  2. Next, show P1 a collection of sad/angry faces for at least 10 seconds. Then P1 holds out their arm, and they repeat the activity.
    Did P2 need to apply more or less pressure? Did P1 have more or less energy and strength for resistance?
  3. Next, show P1 a collection of happy, smiley faces for at least 10 seconds - repeat the activity.
    Did P2 need to apply more or less pressure? Did P1 have more or less energy and strength for resistance?

Reflection

If a drawn picture of a face can have this sort of impact on children, imagine how much of an impact seeing your smiley face greeting them in the morning has on their day - especially at Christmas, when warmth, belonging, and joy matter so much.

It's worth considering the power of that 'illustrated face' around your classroom - your emotions board/wall is more than valid; helping children to recognise and talk about their emotions is vital for the development of their emotional literacy, but too many sad faces may unintentionally make it harder for children to believe they can overcome their current struggles. They could even be causing children who were feeling positive to feel more negative in that moment.

The Science

When we see someone’s expression, our brain doesn’t just notice it - it joins in. Thanks to mirror neurons, when we see a smile, parts of our own motor system activate as if we’re smiling too. That tiny spark sets off a chain reaction: our brain simulates the expression, our emotional circuits tune in, and our body chemistry shifts to match the mood.

This links to systems in our downstairs brain like CARE and PLAY - deep, ancient networks that help us feel safe, connected, and joyful. As those systems activate, feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin rise, while stress hormones calm down.

And since around 70–90% of communication is nonverbal, most of what we share comes from these subtle cues - the tilt of a head, the softness of a voice, a flash of a grin. So when you see a happy face, even a doodled one, your brain may quietly mirror it, your mood lifts, and suddenly the world feels a little lighter.

It’s biology’s own chain reaction of connection - proof in the power of a smile!