The experience of humiliation, frustration, or frequent failure builds negative emotional habits. Fear can make kids show off or play the class clown. Fear can shut down minds, so they aren't able to learn. Fear of embarrassment in front of other kids is a powerful enough force to turn kids away from taking a chance on trying to learn something new. Memories of shame or humiliation are strong enough to keep kids from taking a chance on a new idea.
Many kids are scared of certain subjects, such as math, science, reading, or creative writing.
Such negative emotions cut off access to reason, certain kinds of memory, and original thinking. Such negative feelings may grow out of bad experiences with teachers, parents, or classmates or be a reaction to academic expectations and requirements. Every time a kid turns away from learning, an opportunity is lost. When the emotional piece of a learner's pie is crumbled, smashed, or missing, the student loses a vital segment. First and foremost, the adults in the student's life need to provide a positive, safe, and supportive environment.