This week our focus will not be on a character strength, but on the “P” of our PERMA model. P is for Positive Emotions and there are quite a few Character Strengths that can be associated with Positive Emotions. Learning about emotions, both positive and not so positive, helps expand our wellbeing literacy.

“Wellbeing literacy is defined as a capability to comprehend and compose wellbeing language, across contexts, with the intention of using such language to maintain or improve the wellbeing of oneself, or others or the world.” (Oades, Jarden, Hou, Ozturk, Williams, Slemp & Huang, 2021)

Positive psychologist Professor Martin Seligman has spent many years researching ‘happiness’. Positive Psychology suggests that happiness is the natural result of building up our well-being and satisfaction with life. His studies have helped him identify 5 building blocks of well-being. Each of these elements is essential to our well-being and satisfaction with life. Together, they form the solid foundation upon which we can build a happy and flourishing life.

He calls his model the PERMA model and this is the model that we use at Barwon Heads PS :

• P – positive emotion
• E – engagement
• R – relationships
• M – meaning
• A – achievement (accomplishment)

Thanks to “Discovery in Action” for these words and infographic.

This week we focus on Positive Emotions

Positive emotion is more than just ‘happiness’. There are a range of positive emotions, including amusement, hope, interest, joy, love, compassion, gratitude, and pride. Part of our capacity for experiencing positive
emotions is genetic, but all of us have the ability to purposefully experience more positive emotion.

You can build positive emotion by:
• Taking time to find things you are grateful for in your life and reflect on what is going well and how you have contributed to those situations.
• Spending time with people that you care about
• Doing activities that you enjoy, such as hobbies or pastimes
• Play with your family members, your pets or your friends
• Listening to uplifting music that you love
• Exercising. It can help raise your levels of positive emotions, as well as keep you healthy
Having an attitude of optimism which is critical to building resilience.

Positive Emotions (1.20)

Barbara Fredrickson has led much of the research into Positive Emotions. This is a 5 minute interview with her where she explains her findings and that of other positive psychology scientists.

The Happy Owls read aloud

Proactive Mental Health – PEMA (2.25)

This week we reflect on the ‘Love of Learning’ character strength. What is it that you, as a learner enjoy or have a yearning to learn more about? What subject or area do you feel most excited about learning? Do you have an interest that you feel passionate about?

People who possess the character strength love of learning are motivated to acquire new skills or knowledge or to build on existing skills or knowledge. They feel good when they are learning new things, even though they may occasionally become frustrated when the material is challenging.

Love of Learning sits within the Engagement area of our PERMA as people with this character strength like to make the most of learning opportunities.

Thank you Mr Falker (14 mins)

The Incredible Book Eating Boy

The Most Magnificent Thing

The Boy Who Loved Words

Me at My Best – A general clip about the Character Strengths

People who are prudent think carefully and make sensible and smart choices. Prudent people plan carefully and think before they act or speak.

Prudence sits within the “Meaning” arm of the BHPS starfish and there are quite a few goals that  people who are keen to be more prudent can aspire to. These include:

• Doing things that make a positive difference,
• using the character strengths of positive role models and
• helping others.

Being prudent can also mean making sensible decisions about where you can seek help if needed and knowing who you can help.

Motto: Think before you act.

“Make smart choices,” is a rule that can be easily applied to primary school students. There are many ways to see how it works. Think about the smart and foolish choices made by characters in a story, famous historical individuals and/or students in the playground.  Prudent decisions are wise decisions and making thoughtless choices without thinking before acting are the opposite.

Some examples of books wherein the characters display prudence (or not!) include:

“The Ant and the Grasshopper” is a fable wherein the organised ant plans for the Winter while the arrogant and lazy grasshopper makes fun of the ant. The grasshopper regrets his not so prudent decision making later!

“Can I Join Your Club” shows the main character being rejected by the other animals and making the decision to make his own club where everyone belongs.

Finally, “How to Heal a Broken Wing,” by Bob Graham shows a little boy in a sea of adults making the prudent and kind decision to help a bird lying injured on the pavement.

An activity that you can do is to trace your two hands. On each finger of one hand, write the names of 5 people who can help you should you need it and 5 people who you can help.

People who have the “Honesty” character strength are honest, not only to themselves, but to others as well. Being honest is about taking responsibility for your own actions and not blaming others. People who are honest are down to earth, ethical and act with integrity.

“I always tell the truth and show how I feel” Honesty is not just about telling the truth, it’s about living your life in a genuine and authentic way. It’s about being down to earth and without pretense. Being honest also means being ethical and acting with integrity. 

We all know how important it is to be honest when we are at home and at school. When playing games, honest people play by the rules as this makes it more fun for everyone. “Owning up” to something that you may have done, even if it was a mistake, is something that honest people do too.

At Barwon Heads PS, Honesty lies within the Meaning arm of our Starfish wellbeing model.

Watch “The Anthill” – What lesson did Hercules learn? How did his dishonesty effect others?

Thanks Mr P for sharing this one with us!

“The Emporer’s Seed” – How did the Emporer choose his successor?

(This story is also known as “The Empty Pot”)

This story also has the importance of honesty as its main message, but it is both a fiction and a non-fiction text with some interesting information about medieval times.

Why is it important to be honest?

Can you come up with your own moral? e.g. Being honest will earn you the respect of others OR Honesty is respected.

Make a poster of your moral.