The growing importance of wellbeing among students

CEO and Co-Founder of Rangeet

Simran Mulchandani

“My Happiness and Me adopts a holistic approach to wellbeing, examining how various factors such as our environment, relationships, societies, climate change, and the health of our ecological systems impact us on mental, physical, social, and emotional levels.”

In recent years, the concept of wellbeing has gained significant prominence in the educational agendas of schools worldwide. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of wellbeing, we at Rangeet have developed a new series of wellbeing activity books entitled My Happiness and Me in collaboration with Oxford University Press in India. Rangeet is a digital platform for authoring, delivering, and measuring the impact of teaching materials for schools, communities, and families in India. This series adopts a holistic approach to wellbeing, examining how various factors such as our environment, relationships, societies, climate change, and the health of our ecological systems impact us on mental, physical, social, and emotional levels.

Aligned with OUP’s perspective on education, the development of My Happiness and Me was guided by the pedagogical approach and content from Rangeet’s app-based Social Emotional and Ecological Knowledge (SEEK) curriculum. This curriculum emphasizes the interconnectedness of social, emotional and ecological knowledge, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding and enhancing wellbeing.

The creation of My Happiness and Me was grounded in an evidence-based methodology. Together with OUP, we conducted focus group discussions with teachers from various settings to identify the key issues faced by children today. These discussions provided valuable insights that shaped the content and topics addressed in the activity books, ensuring that the series not only addresses the wellbeing of students but also fosters a deeper understanding of the complex factors that influence it.

Promoting wellbeing and joy for all ages

Physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing is crucial for individuals of all ages. It equips us with the confidence and tools needed to tackle daily challenges effectively.

A comprehensive 18-year study by CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning) involving 98,000 K-12 students found that children with strong social-emotional skills become better learners. They experience less emotional distress and mental health issues, are less prone to negative or aggressive behaviours, and are more likely to complete their education and secure stable employment. These benefits are consistent across various races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and geographical contexts.

In recent years, children have faced numerous challenges, including the impacts of COVID-19, rising mental health issues, political discord, wars, and climate change. In the Global South, children are particularly affected by the combined impacts of poverty and climate change. A report by Save the Children revealed that 51% of children in India feel this dual burden. With 627 million children across South Asia, including 400 million in India (according to UNICEF), there is a pressing need for social-emotional and life skills to help them thrive.

By 2030, there is a concern that 800 million children worldwide will lack the essential skills needed to thrive, with a significant proportion in India, which has the largest and youngest population. The World Economic Forum, alongside employers, governments, and educational institutions emphasizes that a diverse range of skills, including social-emotional competencies, is crucial for success in a rapidly evolving world being shaped by AI. 

The learning approach

Wellbeing—encompassing physical, mental, social, and emotional aspects—is essential for individuals of all ages. It provides the confidence and tools needed to navigate daily challenges. The six ‘C’s identified by the Brookings Institution—communication, collaboration, content, creative innovation, critical thinking, and confidence—form a broad skillset crucial for holistic development.

The curriculum is grounded in international learning science, emphasizing active, playful teaching methods such as stories, songs, role play, and games. This approach not only develops the six ‘C’s but also fosters softer skills.

The framework for My Happiness and Me is organized into three learning ‘umbrellas’: Self, Society, and Ecology:

• The Self Umbrella focuses on self-empathy, emphasizing the importance of respecting one’s body, mind, and rights. It teaches children to recognize and manage their emotions, cultivate positive feelings like gratitude, and build resilience.
• The Society Umbrella, based on the golden rule, addresses topics such as discrimination, diversity, and gender equality, aiming to celebrate diversity and promote unity.
• As the Native American proverb states, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” Through the Ecology Umbrella, the aim is for children to grasp the intrinsic value of nature. Unlike a business, nature does not have an accountant to bill us for every drop of water we consume or every tree we cut down. The services provided by our ecosystems are invaluable, and every living creature, from the smallest bee to the largest blue whale, holds unique value and purpose. Therefore, it is imperative to foster respect and protection for all forms of life on Earth.

The lessons derived from these elements encourage children to introspect, collaborate, solve problems, and consider diverse perspectives, thereby fostering empathy and building confidence. Activities such as stories, poems, and experiments help children develop skills in active listening, conflict resolution, and managing negative thoughts.

By integrating these components, the curriculum enhances physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing, equipping children with the skills needed to thrive in a complex world.