Part 6: Why Certain Things Spark Joy: The Evolution Story

Welcome to The Everyday Science of Joy, a 13-part series for educators and caregivers brought to you by the ESSDACK Resilience Team and inspired by the work of Ingrid Fetell Lee around The Science of Joy. We’re diving into what brain science tells us about joy: why it matters, how it shapes our nervous systems, and how we can design classrooms, homes, and communities that help people truly thrive.

Each post, we’ll explore one joyful concept and connect it to practical, brain-based strategies you can use right away. Think of this series as a little dose of inspiration and science, wrapped up with curiosity, compassion, and maybe even a laugh or two because joy is serious business (and seriously good for us)!

Why do balloons, blossoms, and bright colors make us smile? Evolution gives us clues.

Curves meant safety (no sharp edges = no threat). Bright colors meant energy or nutrition. Abundance—like a field of flowers—meant resources. Over time, our brains learned that these visual cues meant “safe to explore.”

Fast-forward to your classroom or home: these same patterns still tell our brains “you’re safe.” That’s why a colorful reading nook feels more inviting than a sterile one. Our nervous systems are still wired to find joy in the signals that once kept us alive.

✨ Joy Practice Challenge: Take a “joy inventory.” What in your space feels safe and alive? What feels cold or threatening? Add one natural, soft, or colorful element that says “this space welcomes life.”