Why Do You Laugh? Cry? Blush?

You laugh, cry, and blush because your body has special messengers that tell your face what to do, just like a teacher tells you when it’s time for recess or math.

Your brain is like the boss of your body. When something funny happens, your brain sends a message down your nerves, which are like telephone wires. These messages go all the way to your face, telling your mouth and eyes to smile and laugh, just like when you hear “Yay!” before ice cream time.

When something sad happens, your brain sends different messengers that make your eyes tear up and your face feel heavy, like after a long nap or when you drop your favorite toy. That’s crying.

Sometimes, when you’re shy or embarrassed, maybe you trip in front of everyone, your brain tells your cheeks to get warm and pink, just like when you put your hands near a hot cup of cocoa. That’s blushing.

Your body is always talking to your face, and it does it all so fast that it feels like magic, but really, it's just your brain doing its job!