From our daughter in Sydney we received the following link about a very interesting interview on Radio National:
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/martin-seligman-on-hope-and-helplessness/9653834
Peter and I listened to this interview. It was very interesting to hear Martin Seligman speak about his work. Of special interest to me were his explanations about what PERMA is. I looked up several articles about it. I also sent some links to our son in Victoria.
https://www.gostrengths.com/whatisperma/
What is PERMA?
PERMA is an acronym for a model of well-being put forth by a pioneer in the field of positive psychology, Martin Seligman. According to Seligman, PERMA makes up five important building blocks of well-being and happiness:
- Positive emotions – feeling good
- Engagement – being completely absorbed in activities
- Relationships – being authentically connected to others
- Meaning – purposeful existence
- Achievement – a sense of accomplishment and success
MY THOUGHTS ABOUT POSITIVE EMOTIONS:
I DO FIND IT VERY INTERESTING WHAT MARTIN SELIGMAN SAYS ABOUT POSITIVE EMOTIONS. IT SEEMS TO BE VERY IMPORTANT THAT EDUCATORS FOSTER POSITIVE EMOTIONS IN CHILDREN. WHEN WE MOVED TO AUSTRALIA WE WERE AMAZED TO FIND THAT LITTLE CHILDREN AT SCHOOL WERE CONSTANTLY BEING PRAISED FOR SOMETHING OR OTHER. IN OUR EXPERIENCE OUR UPBRINGING IN GERMANY DID NOT EVENTUATE WITH A LOT OF PRAISE FOR EVERY CHILD.
I WOULD AGREE THAT BEING COMPLETELY ABSORBED IN ACTIVITIES IS A GOOD THING. I IMAGINE IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO FIND FOR EVERY CHILD ACTIVITIES THEY LIKE SO MUCH THAT THEY CAN BE COMPLETELY ABSORBING FOR THE CHILD.
I THINK EVERYONE WOULD AGREE THAT FOR A CHILD IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO FEEL CONNECTED TO OTHERS
AND IF A CHILD FEELS CONNECTED TO OTHERS FOR SURE THEY WOULD ALSO FEEL THAT THEIR EXISTENCE IS IMPORTANT TO OTHERS.
A CHILD WOULD GET A FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND SUCCESS IF IT KNEW THAT THERE ARE THINGS HE OR SHE CAN DO WELL OR WELL ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO EVENTUALLY BE GETTING BETTER AND BETTER ON IT.
CHILDREN THAT ARE BROUGHT UP WITH POSITIVE EMOTIONS LIKE THIS MAY FIND IT MORE EASY TO SUSTAIN POSITIVE EMOTIONS THROUGH OUT THEIR LIVES.
IF SOMEONE DID GROW UP WITH INSUFFICIENT POSITIVE EMOTIONS HE OR SHE MIGHT BENEFIT ENORMOUSLY BY LEARNING ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF SELIGMAN’S PERMA AND WORKING ON IT TO BECOME A HAPPY ADULT AND FEELING GOOD MOST OF THE TIME.
I THINK I AM ONE OF THOSE LUCKY PEOPLE WHO FEEL GOOD MOST OF THE TIME. BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT I HAVE NOT FELT BAD AT CERTAIN TIMES DURING MY VERY LONG LIFE. YET I DID ALWAYS FEEL THAT THERE IS A SLIVER LINING NOT TOO FAR AWAY. ONCE A WOMAN SAID TO ME THAT GOD DOES NOT MAKE RUBBISH. I FELT PRETTY WORTHLESS AT THE TIME. BUT WHAT THIS WOMAN SAID SOMEHOW MADE A LOT OF SENSE TO ME. DEEP DOWN MY BELIEVE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT EVERY PERSON HAS SOME KIND OF WORTH, AND THAT I SHOULD NOT THINK THAT I AM WORTHLESS.
AuntyUta 
Well put, Uta.
While praising a child is positive if the achievement of the child warrants it. To praise a child for the slightest doodle or lazy scribble as if a future Rembrandt to my mind is just silly. It might have something to do with modern psychology which has gone a bit overboard in lavishing praise no matter the lack of any achievements.
Australian education has a lot to be desired with students lacking basic skills in language and numeracy, despite the praise. I doubt German education is failing their students so badly.
I would agree with you, Gerard, that lavishing praise no matter the lack of any achievements, is definitely not the right way to go about it. But what about encouragement? I think every child deserves some kind of encouragement or guidance. With some children it becomes apparent quite early what sort of talents they have. Other children take a long time to find something they’re suited to. And what about university students? A lot of students do start several subjects before they find one that interests them above all others.
Yes, that’s true. Encouragement is important. And so is praise if the results of effort is worth it.
What is very damaging is the bullying that goes on in so many places. The sledging and name calling. APPALLING!
APPALLING! Quite so, Gerard. A bit of kindness goes a long way. 🙂