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Part I
Positive
Psychology and
the Flourishing
Programme
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What Do Children Need to Be Happy, Confident and Successful?
Positive Psychology is the science of wellbeing: a quest to find the universal truths which inform human progress and life satisfaction. It aims to discover and promote the factors which allow individuals and communities to thrive1 and which play a vital role in getting young people off to a good start in life and prepares them for independence.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines wellbeing2 as ‘a state in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to the community’ (p.19).
Every child has their own unique potential but not all children will blossom to develop their skills and build a life which is fulfilling and satisfying. For some children, the gulf between their potential and reality is enormous and the challenges in their lives can block the way to a good life. Yet, for many, small changes can make a big difference.
Later we will meet Toby, a boy who was really struggling but who recovered his enthusiasm and motivation through just such small changes to his everyday routine. For Toby and for all children the chance to reach for their potential is too important to be missed.
BUILDING PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING
This book is a guide to the essentials of wellbeing. It offers food for thought and practical ideas to everyone involved with children. Every adult who comes in contact with children can play their part in boosting a child’s wellbeing. An understanding of the factors which promote psychological wellbeing is central both to preventing difficulties from arising and to providing an early intervention strategy for any child already in need of support.
DECIDING WHAT IS IMPORTANT
As the body of scientific findings from psychology grows, it can be difficult to track down the key messages and to decide what will make a significant difference to wellbeing. As an applied psychologist, working directly in the community rather than in an academic setting, my work involves developing evidence-based practice. I have examined the research findings to distil them into key principles which were then translated into practical applications. In 2006 I started work on the Flourishing Programme, which is designed to promote psychological wellbeing in childhood. Over the past five years I have continued to review and refine the programme, working with parents and professionals to develop a practical guide to the psychological strengths children need for an enriching, meaningful and fulfilling life.
The chapters which follow introduce the Flourishing Programme, which shows you how to discover and build a child’s unique personal talents. You will learn practical strategies for creating daily opportunities for children to practice and develop their strengths, specific ways to nurture positive emotions, and techniques for modelling how to manage negative thoughts and feelings.
FACING THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE
The wellbeing of...
