The capital city of Delhi in India has started a new educational initiative called the Happiness Curriculum. Happiness…..sounds so simple of a concept, right? I think that we can all agree that all people seek happiness. The happiness framework works around the idea that students will learn best when there is no conflict within. The Happiness Curriculum looks to serve the whole child.
The Happiness Curriculum’s objectives cover a wide range of goals. Students must have self awareness and mindfulness, critical thinking and inquiry skills, have effective communication, creative expression, empathy, strategies to deal with conflict, and have a good sense of social awareness. The source of happiness can have many different sources; food, home, career, money, travel, etc. But the Happiness Curriculum separates the sources of happiness from the ultimate goal of reaching an inner-state of happiness. Happiness is NOT a moral science or a discourse. And happiness is more than a state of momentary pleasures.
The themes of the Happiness Curriculum are also vast. The curriculum asks that students know their needs, have harmony with themselves and peers, take pride in their education, have empathy for others, and have the ability to cooperate and collaborate with others. Some examples of this in action are practicing mindful breathing, listening, seeing, and thinking. Students spend time telling stories, sharing, reflecting, and discussing the “work of the day”. Students practice yoga, meditation, and student-led daily activities such as the “Quote of the Day” and “Question of the Day”. Students report the world news to their classmates, take elective classes, and participate in daily self awareness activities.
Student social/emotional health is such a hot topic now in the US. There are so many students that are suffering with mental health problems today and need help dealing with early trauma. I believe that The Happiness Curriculum is a step in the right direction. I look forward to learning all I can about the curriculum and will work hard to implement something similar to it here in Ohio.
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