Action for Happiness

From Mindfulness to Happiness: Inspiring Young Leaders

To expand the joy and benefits of mindfulness to the entire school, we launched the 'Action for Happiness' project. It empowers students to take ownership, make decisions, and develop leadership skills while fostering collaboration. We promote a culture of joy and well-being through online and offline showcases, workshops, and monthly activities, ensuring sustainability and adaptability.

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Web presence

2019

Established

1.6K

Children

1

Countries

Target group

Students basic

Updated

May 2024

I hope "Action for Happiness" will empower students to lead positive change, embed mindfulness in schools for emotional well-being, and create collaborative communities where students, teachers, and staff promote gratitude, empathy, and compassion. Through scalable models and media literacy, students become advocates for change, spreading mental health awareness effectively.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

I created 'Action for Happiness' to empower students as leaders of change and spread the benefits of mindfulness beyond our school community. Inspired by its transformative power, the project nurtures leadership, collaboration, and creativity to foster a culture of joy and well-being while enhancing mental health and resilience.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

In practice, 'Action for Happiness' empowers students as leaders of change through a peer support model. Media ambassadors create content to promote mindfulness and well-being, while thematic activities like gratitude exercises enable them to lead by example. The project is adaptable, utilizing online and offline showcases to engage the entire school community in enhancing mental health and resilience. We evaluate the impact through participation levels in activities, interaction with media content, feedback from showcases and workshops, and personal reflections from club members. By documenting the project's influence through these methods, we see clear evidence of improved student well-being and leadership skills. The project's structure is scalable, demonstrating the project's potential to foster collaboration and positive change across various educational settings.

How has it been spreading?

In the past 4 years, 'Action for Happiness' achieved recognition in educational innovation communities and won a prestigious prize in the 2022 Education Empowerment Vietnam competition. Its unique combination of a peer support model, media ambassador program, and mindfulness activities has inspired educators nationwide. Our goals for the next 2-3 years include expanding reach, enhancing student leadership, and further promoting well-being and collaboration in diverse educational settings.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

To replicate "Action for Happiness," schools should understand the model, adapt activities to their context, empower students as leaders, and integrate digital tools. They can use digital platforms for project collaboration and mindfulness activities. Evaluating the impact through participation tracking and feedback ensures effective adaptation and scalability. Contact us for guidance.

Implementation steps

Define Project Goals and Outcomes

Aim to establish a stable membership in the Mindfulness Club and increase awareness of mindfulness activities, aiming for positive feedback from the school community.

Assemble the Team

Recruit students and clearly outline their roles as media ambassadors and project leaders.
Teachers should act as supervisors and facilitators for mindfulness exercises.

Find and Prepare Mindfulness Resources

Teachers should curate resources on mindfulness and wellness from reputable sources to educate themselves and the students.
Use books, online courses, videos, and reputable websites to create a solid foundation for the activities.

Plan Activities and Resources

Create activity templates, including mindfulness exercises and workshops, that fit within the school’s schedule and available resources.
Schedule activities during club time, after-school sessions, or homeroom, depending on school context.

Set Up Tools and Platforms

Use Microsoft 365 for collaboration and Canva for design tasks.
Establish shared documents for project planning and collaboration.
Prepare crafting materials.

Execute and Monitor Activities

Implement the planned activities, ensuring students participate actively.
Conduct mindfulness exercises and create media content.

Evaluate Progress and Outcomes

Evaluate progress through participation rates, peer assessments, and feedback from participants.
Gather reflections from teachers and students to identify areas for improvement.

Adapt and Improve

Adapt the project based on collected feedback, making it suitable for different schedules and school contexts.
Adjust activities to align with the school's schedule and needs.

Overcome Challenges

If club time is limited, explore alternative time slots like playtime, homeroom, or after school.
Address limited membership by promoting the project across the school to generate interest.