In 2006, leading independent school Wellington College launched weekly happiness and well-being lessons for its 14- to 16-year-old students. The first course of its kind in the world, it was devised by one of the world’s leading specialists in the science of well-being, Dr. Nick Baylis of the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with Wellington College. Headmaster Anthony Seldon believes that the happiness lessons will greatly improve the school’s ability to produce happy and secure young adults.

By the age of 14 children are not only facing big exams and questions about their future, but also distractions from money, celebrity and material possessions from our society. When young people do not have the skills to put the pressures of modern life into perspective, they can quickly be overwhelmed. The happiness lessons developed by well-being specialist Dr. Baylis aim to equip the teens “with an understanding of what makes lives thrive and flourish - good health, a sense of accomplishment and lasting companionship.” For example, in the class, students are asked to think about positive forms of pleasure and happiness for themselves. They learn that alcohol, drugs, television or too much food can only bring them temporary satisfaction which quickly wears off, leaving them worse off than before. Dr. Baylis said, “I want these youngsters to understand that we can create happiness, rather than consume it.” The lessons also help children deal with bad experiences in life. Dr. Baylis added, “I would like them to learn from the example of someone like Lance Armstrong (a US cyclist who overcame testicular cancer to win the Tour de France), who has taken his pain and anger and channeled all that emotional energy into something positive.” Dr. Baylis hopes that these lessons will help teenagers to cope better both in and out of school and even later into their adult life.

The Headmaster of Wellington College, Mr. Seldon, reports that he has seen many positive results from this program, which has been running for a year now. He said that the school has gained experience in teaching children to be emotionally self-reliant and to be able to manage their emotions. The children, too, have gained a lot from the program. Oli Marjot, 16, who takes well-being lessons at Wellington College said, “The well-being lessons are a pool of calm. They don’t teach you to be happy all the time. They teach you how to deal with things when you are not happy.”

In September 2007, the Education Secretary of the United Kingdom announced that lessons in happiness, well-being and good manners are to be introduced in all state secondary schools. In fact, an extensive pilot program known as SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) has already seen improvements in children’s academic performance and discipline by helping them to better understand their emotions. Research has also revealed that well-being education is equally beneficial for teachers, by reducing their stress levels and increasing their passion for teaching.

As Master said, “Thoughts are very important. When we think nobly, the whole universe admires, loves, and serves us; and waits for us to visit their place.” -- [Spoken in Chinese at Hsihu Center, Formosa, September 29, 1991]

Congratulations to the UK government for their determination to create a healthy and positive environment for the education of our youth. May God bless all children in the world with happiness and well-being!

References:
http://www.wellington-college.berks.sch.uk/page.aspx?id=595 http://www.thehappinessinstitute.com/weblog/index.php/2007/09/04/happiness-lessons-for-all-pupils/

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