Browsing by Author "Malinen, Jenni"

Objectives. The pursuit of well-being and happiness has become an important element of life in the western world and its societies. Positive psychology’s objective is to find the best qualities in people, help them strengthen those qualities and fulfill their individual potential. The Finnish media has recently displayed many examples of social exclusion and bullying among the youth as well as stories of students and teachers, who are exhausted by the increasing group sizes and the hectic everyday laden in school. The phenomenon is not new. For quite some time, the scholars and professionals of teaching and education have been searching ways to increase children's well-being in and outside classrooms. Positive education is an approach to education, that is based on positive psychology’s emphasis of individual strengths and personal motivation as well as the meaning of a warm-spirited and well-balanced community to promote learning and the pursuit of well-being and happiness. The first objective of this study was to find out the theoretical justifications of using positive education as a teaching method in a classroom. The second objective of the study was to look into the already existing applications of positive education and find out how the approach can be put into practice in the everyday school life. Methods. This study is a descriptive review of the literature of positive psychology and positive education and their theoretical background. The material of the study consists of articles and books written by the most appreciated domestic and foreign scholars in the field of positive psychology and education. In addition to the previous, the material consists also of one dissertation and one guidebook, as examples of positive education’s practical applications. Results and conclusions. Happiness has a tending to nourish itself and accumulate, having a tremendous affect, on how we react to the successes and setbacks we face in life. Happiness increases out mental resilience and helps us get over disappointments more quickly and effectively. It strengthens us and helps us to cope with the demands and challenges today's society sets for us. Positive psychology based teaching methods have many positive effects on learning, as well as on fulfilling the basic psychological human needs. The applications of positive education are fairly simple to implement in the daily schoolwork. It is also definitely worth the while, as their impact on individuals as well as the class and school communities are very positive.