Positive schooling refers to an approach to education that focuses on promoting the well-

being, positive development, and optimal functioning of students within the school
environment. It goes beyond academics and aims to cultivate positive emotions, character
strengths, positive relationships, and a sense of purpose in students. Positive schooling
incorporates principles from positive psychology and applies them to the educational
context.

Here are some key components of positive schooling:

1. Positive Relationships: Positive schooling emphasizes the importance of nurturing

positive relationships between students, teachers, parents, and the school
community. It promotes a caring and supportive school climate where everyone feels
valued, respected, and connected.

2. Strengths-Based Approach: Positive schooling recognizes and builds upon the

strengths and talents of students. It focuses on identifying and developing individual
strengths, such as creativity, leadership, resilience, empathy, and problem-solving
skills, to foster personal growth and achievement.

3. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Positive schooling integrates social and
emotional learning into the curriculum. SEL programs teach students essential life
skills, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship
skills, and responsible decision-making. These skills support students' emotional well-
being and positive behavior.

4. Well-being and Positive Mental Health: Positive schooling prioritizes the well-being
and positive mental health of students. It promotes practices that enhance
mindfulness, stress management, self-care, and emotional regulation. Schools may
implement strategies such as relaxation exercises, mindfulness practices, and
promoting a healthy work-life balance for students and teachers.

5. Character Education: Positive schooling places importance on character education,

teaching values, ethics, and good citizenship. It emphasizes the development of
positive character traits such as honesty, respect, integrity, empathy, and
 responsibility. Character education programs help students develop a strong moral
compass and make positive contributions to their communities.

6. Meaningful Engagement and Purpose: Positive schooling encourages students to find

meaning and purpose in their education. It provides opportunities for students to
engage in meaningful learning experiences, pursue their interests, and connect their
learning to real-life applications. This fosters intrinsic motivation and a sense of
purpose in students' academic journeys.

7. Positive School Climate and Culture: Positive schooling promotes a positive and
inclusive school climate. It involves creating a safe and respectful environment where
students feel supported and motivated to learn. Schools may implement strategies
such as peer support programs, anti-bullying initiatives, and student involvement in
decision-making processes.

8. Positive Discipline and Restorative Practices: Positive schooling promotes positive

discipline approaches that focus on teaching students self-discipline, problem-solving,
and accountability. Restorative practices are often utilized to address conflicts and
behavioral issues, encouraging dialogue, empathy, and repairing relationships.

9. Strengths-Based Assessment and Feedback: Positive schooling utilizes assessment

and feedback practices that focus on students' strengths and growth. It emphasizes
providing constructive feedback that helps students understand their progress,
identify areas for improvement, and build on their strengths.

10.Community and Parent Engagement: Positive schooling recognizes the importance of

involving parents, families, and the wider community in the educational process. It
fosters partnerships with parents and engages the community to create a supportive
network that enhances students' learning and well-being.

By incorporating these components, positive schooling aims to create a holistic and

enriching educational experience that nurtures the overall development and flourishing of
students. It seeks to cultivate a positive school culture that supports students in reaching
their full potential academically, socially, emotionally, and personally.
Theoretical models of positive schooling provide frameworks for understanding and
implementing positive education practices. Two prominent models in this field are the VIA
Character Strengths model and the PERMA model.

1. VIA Character Strengths model: This model, developed by positive psychologists

Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, focuses on identifying and cultivating
character strengths in individuals. It categorizes these strengths into six core virtues:
wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. The VIA
Character Strengths model is widely used in positive schooling to help students and
educators identify their unique strengths and apply them in their academic and
personal lives. By leveraging and developing character strengths, positive schooling
aims to enhance student engagement, resilience, well-being, and positive
relationships within the school community.

2. PERMA model: The PERMA model, proposed by Martin Seligman, is a framework that
identifies five essential elements for well-being and flourishing. Each letter in PERMA
represents a different aspect:

a. Positive Emotions: Cultivating positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, and

optimism to enhance well-being and engagement in learning.

b. Engagement: Promoting a state of flow and deep involvement in activities that

challenge and stimulate students' interests and strengths.

c. Relationships: Fostering positive and meaningful relationships between

students, teachers, and the broader school community to enhance social
support and connectedness.

d. Meaning: Helping students find a sense of purpose and meaning in their

educational experiences by connecting learning to real-life applications and
personal goals.
 e. Accomplishment: Supporting students in setting and achieving meaningful
goals, recognizing their accomplishments, and building a sense of competence
and mastery.

The PERMA model provides a comprehensive framework for designing

positive education interventions and creating a positive school environment that
nurtures student well-being, positive relationships, and academic success.

These theoretical models of positive schooling offer guidance for educators in implementing
positive education practices. By integrating character strengths and well-being principles
into the educational setting, positive schooling aims to promote a holistic approach to
education that fosters the intellectual, social, emotional, and character development of
students. These models provide a foundation for schools to create positive, thriving, and
inclusive learning environments where students can flourish and reach their full potential.

POSITVE INTERVENTION

Positive interventions in positive schooling refer to strategies, programs, and activities

implemented in educational settings to foster positive well-being, character development,
and academic success among students. These interventions aim to create a positive school
climate, enhance social-emotional skills, and promote overall positive mental health. Here
are some examples of positive interventions commonly used in positive schooling:

1. Character Education Programs: Character education programs focus on promoting

positive values, ethical behavior, and social-emotional skills among students. These
programs teach virtues such as empathy, integrity, resilience, and compassion
through structured lessons, discussions, and activities. They aim to cultivate positive
character traits that contribute to personal and academic success.

2. Positive Behavior Support: Positive behavior support involves creating a supportive

and inclusive school environment that encourages positive behavior and reduces
disruptive behaviors. This approach emphasizes teaching and reinforcing desired
behaviors, rather than solely focusing on punishment. It involves strategies such as
rewards systems, peer recognition, and clear expectations to promote a positive and
respectful school culture.
 3. Strength-Based Approaches: Strength-based approaches focus on identifying and
nurturing students' individual strengths and talents. These approaches recognize that
every student possesses unique abilities and strengths that can be harnessed to
promote their engagement and success. Strength-based interventions involve
activities that help students discover and utilize their strengths in their academic
pursuits and personal development.

4. Mindfulness and Well-being Programs: Mindfulness-based programs introduce

students to mindfulness practices that promote present-moment awareness,
emotional regulation, and stress reduction. These programs teach techniques such as
mindful breathing, body scans, and meditation to enhance focus, self-awareness, and
well-being. By incorporating mindfulness practices into the school curriculum,
students develop skills to manage stress, improve attention, and cultivate a positive
mindset.

5. Positive Peer Relationships and Bullying Prevention: Positive schooling interventions

often include programs that promote positive peer relationships and prevent bullying.
These programs educate students about empathy, conflict resolution, and promoting
a positive and inclusive school environment. They encourage students to engage in
prosocial behaviors, stand up against bullying, and develop healthy relationships with
their peers.

6. Gratitude and Kindness Initiatives: Gratitude and kindness initiatives involve

promoting acts of gratitude and kindness among students. These initiatives
encourage students to express gratitude for others, perform acts of kindness, and
engage in service-learning activities. By fostering a culture of gratitude and kindness,
positive schooling interventions promote positive relationships, empathy, and a sense
of belonging.

These positive interventions in positive schooling contribute to creating a supportive and

thriving learning environment. By focusing on the positive aspects of education and
nurturing students' well-being, these interventions foster a positive school climate, enhance
social-emotional skills, and promote academic success.
 POSITIVE PARENTING

Positive parenting is an approach to parenting that focuses on promoting the overall well-
being and healthy development of children. It emphasizes building a positive and nurturing
relationship between parents and children, fostering their emotional and social skills, and
creating a supportive and loving home environment. Positive parenting involves using
effective communication, setting clear boundaries, and providing consistent discipline while
also prioritizing warmth, empathy, and understanding.
Positive parenting refers to the use of positive psychology principles and
techniques in child rearing practices. Thus instead of focusing on what is wrong
in the child, it emphasizes what is right and good in the child. It also focuses
on the parents themselves – being self-aware, being mindful, and learning to
see the larger goal of parenting. Listening to the child, understanding the needs
of the child and being a good role model will help the child feel loved and
confident.
wo main issues in parenting involves how demanding and how responsive
the parents are towards the child. This intersection between demandingness
and responsiveness gives rise to four parenting styles namely, authoritarian,
authoritative/democratic, permissive, and negligent/indifferent parenting

At the core of positive parenting is the belief that children thrive in an environment that is
safe, supportive, and responsive to their needs. Positive parenting practices are grounded in
research from fields such as developmental psychology, attachment theory, and social-
emotional learning.

MINDFULNESS IN PARENTING

Mindfulness in positive parenting refers to the practice of being fully present and aware in
the parenting role, cultivating a non-judgmental and accepting attitude towards oneself and
one's children. It involves applying the principles of mindfulness to enhance the parent-child
relationship, promote effective communication, and foster the overall well-being of both
the parent and the child.

Here are some ways in which mindfulness can be incorporated into positive parenting:

1. Present-Moment Awareness: Mindfulness encourages parents to be fully present in

their interactions with their children. It involves paying attention to the present
 moment without judgment or distraction. By being fully present, parents can tune in
to their children's needs, emotions, and cues, fostering a deeper connection and
understanding.

2. Non-Judgmental Acceptance: Mindfulness teaches parents to approach parenting

with a non-judgmental and accepting attitude. This involves letting go of
preconceived notions or expectations about how children should behave and
embracing the uniqueness of each child. It allows parents to respond to their children
with compassion and empathy, rather than reacting with criticism or judgment.

3. Emotional Regulation: Mindfulness practices can help parents develop emotional

regulation skills, which are crucial for managing their own emotions and responding
effectively to their children's emotions. By becoming aware of their own emotional
states, parents can better regulate their reactions and provide a calm and supportive
presence for their children during challenging moments.

4. Conscious Discipline: Mindfulness can be applied to discipline strategies in positive

parenting. It encourages parents to pause and reflect before reacting impulsively to
their children's behavior. By taking a mindful moment to consider the most
appropriate and constructive response, parents can model self-control and teach
their children valuable problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.

5. Listening and Communication: Mindfulness enhances active listening skills, which are
essential for effective communication with children. By practicing mindful listening,
parents can give their full attention to their children, validate their feelings, and
respond in a thoughtful and understanding manner. This fosters open and honest
communication, strengthens the parent-child bond, and helps children feel heard and
valued.

6. Self-Care and Self-Compassion: Mindfulness emphasizes self-care and self-

compassion for parents. It encourages them to prioritize their own well-being and
practice self-care activities that nurture their physical, mental, and emotional health.
By taking care of themselves, parents can approach parenting from a place of balance
and inner resources, better equipped to support their children's needs.
 7. Cultivating Gratitude and Joy: Mindfulness practices often involve cultivating
gratitude and recognizing moments of joy in everyday life. Positive parents can apply
this approach by intentionally noticing and appreciating the small moments of joy,
love, and connection with their children. This cultivates a positive and grateful
mindset, fostering a nurturing and joyful atmosphere in the family.

Incorporating mindfulness into positive parenting allows parents to respond to their

children with greater awareness, empathy, and presence. It promotes a deeper connection,
effective communication, and emotional well-being for both parents and children. By
embodying mindfulness in their parenting approach, parents can create a nurturing and
supportive environment that fosters the growth and happiness of their children.

WAYS TO PRACTICING POSITIVE PARENTING

Practicing positive parenting involves adopting strategies and approaches that promote the
well-being, growth, and positive development of children. Here are four key ways to
practice positive parenting:

1. Safe and Stimulating Environment: Create a safe and stimulating environment for
your child. Ensure that their physical surroundings are child-proofed and free from
potential hazards. Provide age-appropriate toys, books, and activities that encourage
exploration, learning, and creativity. A safe and stimulating environment fosters a
sense of security and supports your child's cognitive and emotional development.

2. Realistic Expectations: Set realistic expectations for your child's behavior and
development based on their age and individual abilities. Recognize that children
progress at their own pace and have unique strengths and challenges. Avoid
comparing your child to others and celebrate their individual achievements. Realistic
expectations promote a positive and supportive atmosphere, reducing stress and
pressure for both you and your child.

3. Positive Discipline: Use positive discipline techniques that focus on teaching and
guiding rather than punishment. Set clear and age-appropriate boundaries and
consistently enforce them with kindness and respect. Use positive reinforcement
such as praise, rewards, and encouragement to reinforce desired behavior. Redirect
 and provide alternatives when your child engages in inappropriate behavior. Positive
discipline helps children develop self-discipline, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

4. Effective Communication: Maintain open and effective communication with your

child. Listen actively, validate their feelings, and respond with empathy and
understanding. Use age-appropriate language and provide explanations when setting
rules or addressing conflicts. Encourage your child to express their thoughts and
emotions, and be responsive to their needs. Effective communication fosters trust,
strengthens the parent-child bond, and promotes healthy emotional development.

5. Self-Care: Take care of yourself as a parent. Prioritize your physical and mental well-
being by engaging in self-care activities. Make time for relaxation, exercise, hobbies,
and social connections. Seek support from family, friends, or parenting groups. Taking
care of yourself allows you to be more patient, present, and responsive to your child's
needs. It models self-care as an essential aspect of overall well-being and teaches
your child the importance of self-care.