Thriving
Thriving is concerned with feeling a sense of flourishing within life. Within educational contexts, thriving is about more than just academic success. It is concerned with the development of academic, social, emotional and ethical aspects of our development, i.e. it shows a balanced approach to helping both children and adults feel a sense of growth. This therefore means that it includes aspects of having a meaning and purpose in the activity and life of the educational environment, of feeling a sense of satisfaction, and fulfilment, and also the development of both character and ethics. All of these will play a role in helping develop a thriving physical and mental health in individuals.
To enable this is educational contexts requires a number of approaches for all individuals (both children and adults).
- The fostering of belonging and community, hence ensuring inclusivity and chances for collaboration and peer support.
- Use of reflection to help individuals to connect the learning they do to their own goals and values, and to explore meaning and identities.
- Provide access to support such as counselling where needed, and include emotional intelligence as opportunities within the curriculum.
- Foster responsibility and ethical behaviour as well as kindness within the culture of the educational environment.
- Create opportunities for creativity, for mastery and for autonomy whilst meeting diverse need.
- Encouraging physical as well as mental health by giving opportunity for movement and play, and fostering healthy food choices and an understanding of our bodies.
If individuals feel a sense of thriving they are mor likely to engage with their learning, and they are mor likely to build strong, positive relationships. In turn this is more likely to give them a strong sense of self-worth and to contribute more to both their immediate and wider communities.