Positive Pedagogy combines the science of happiness with traditional education.
Positive Pedagogy is based on the methods of positive psychology and Martin Seligman’s PERMA model. The model helps children develop by its five core elements:
P – Positive Emotions
E – Engagement
R – Relationships
M – Meaning
A – Accomplishment
Preventing depression, improving the feeling of satisfaction, learning positive emotions and the ability for happiness are the reasons why positive pedagogy should be employed in schools.
Positive pedagogy intends to teach skills that help with dealing with stress, building strong relationships, improving confidence, developing balanced thinking and a healthy lifestyle. By acquiring these skills, children gain tools to become successful both in their academic and personal lives.
The methods of positive pedagogy are based on scientific experiments. Geelong Secondary School in Australia is the first school to have included positive pedagogy in its curriculum in 2008. Education of well-being is part of teaching every subject and they give separate lessons to teach happiness enhancing techniques.
“A school curriculum that incorporates wellbeing will ideally prevent depression, increase life satisfaction, encourage social responsibility, promote creativity, foster learning and even enhance academic achievement.”
(Waters, 2014)
There are several methods and models to improve children’s well-being, for example the PERMA model. Our Happiness Lessons Programme is being continuously developed since 2014, based on the feedback of teachers and our tests.
What are the benefits of incorporating the methods of positive pedagogy into your school curriculum?
The results and effects of positive pedagogy
It decreases and prevents depression
The methods of positive psychology applied in positive pedagogy for example self-knowledge, developing our strengths or practising gratitude all help to increase happiness and decrease depression among students.
Happy students perform better
According to Fisher’s observations happier students are more creative than their peers, they can concentrate better and have a more relevant role in the community. Together with the methods of positive psychology, education increases their motivation and interest.
It makes teachers’ lives and work better
Students get more motivated by positive pedagogy and this makes working with them much easier. It also helps create a caring school environment which prevents the development of behavioural problems.
It motivates students
Studies show that combining aims and tasks with optimism results in students with strong, consistent and enduring motivation.
It improves flexibility and resilience
The results of the research carried out by the University of Pennsylvania showed that students who had taken part in the programme developing the skill of flexibility (PRP) were more optimistic, more flexible, more resistant and more hopeful than their peers before exams and they experienced less stress.
Enhances human development and growing into an adult
In 2004 Sheila M Clonan and her team conducted research which showed that positive pedagogy and psychology in classroom help children, by improving their personal strength and facilitates their good behaviour that can be sustained in the long run.
It teaches children to seek happiness and provides them with techniques for everyday life
IWEN Happiness Lessons designed for 4 age groups teaches children the most effective happiness enhancing techniques in a practical way.
Application of positive pedagogy methods can be the antidote for depression and anxiety as well as a solution to how we could handle global problems nowadays.