The Happiness Lesson Integrated Programmes

The World is Better with You!

The Happiness Lessons introduce mental health and positive psychology, especially strategies for increasing the subjective well-being in school education through teacher training and a strategically developed 10 months annual programme. 9000+ educators and 1800+ institutions have incorporated the Happiness Lessons into their work engaging 200.000+ children and teens between 3 and 20 years olds.

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Global Collection 2026

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Overview

HundrED has selected this innovation to

HundrED Global Collection 2026

HundrED Global Collection 2025

Wellbeing in Schools

Updated May 2026

Web presence

2014

Established

100K 2019

150K 2024

200K 2026

8

Countries

Community

Target group

The Happiness Lessons Integrated Programme is a research-based, scalable approach that measurably improves children’s and young people’s wellbeing, learning, and social functioning. Impact studies, including controlled research by ELTE PPK and the work of Attila Oláh on psychological immunity, show significant positive changes in emotional, cognitive, and behavioural domains. Students demonstrate increased self-confidence, resilience, and coping skills, alongside improved concentration, perseverance, and academic performance. The programme strengthens psychological immunity, a concept defined by Oláh as the system of adaptive personality resources supporting effective stress management and mental health. It also enhances creativity and divergent thinking, while fostering empathy and social sensitivity. Participants report higher levels of subjective wellbeing and a more positive school experience overall. The impact extends to the group level, creating a more supportive, inclusive, and positive classroom climate, and contributing to sustainable wellbeing in education. Connected to the Positive Communication and Conflict Resolution initiative (from 2025) we assessed 300 reports. Teachers report strenghtened self-awareness, empathy, and communication skills. It helps them respond more calmly and confidently in conflict situations, use more restorative approaches, and build safer, supportive classroom climates that improve student wellbeing, cooperation and bullying prevention.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

Our mission is to complement the teaching of lexical knowledge with the teaching of well-being in schools. Our main goal is to support the well-being of children, teens and teachers in a strategic and scientific way, to strengthen the ability to be happy through the development of individual and social skills, to actively cope with stress, and to create a strength-focused institutional culture.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

The Happiness Lesson Integrated Programmes consist of 4+2 different annual programmes, each of them offering a different direction to well-being interventions.
Schools join the 'Happy Institutions' Network, their teachers train with us, thus incorporate playful and artistic exercises regularly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeePNC8s1jg
1. Happiness Lesson Basics: Savoring life joys, strategies for positive assurance, mindset and positive relationships in the classroom and beyond (based on Sonja Lyubomirski's and Barbara Fredricksons' findings),
2. Character Strengths for kids and teens (based on Martin Seligman's and Peter Peterson's Character Strengths findings for flourishing and successful life),
3. Self-confidence building activities for kids and teens (based on the practitioners' community's measured needs, developed by the foundation recently, including the Growth Mindset),
4. Mindfulness skills for kids and teens (Coping with feelings and emotions + self-compassion).
5. Postive Communication and Conflict Resolution (supports building an organization culture based on positive communication, embedding practices of Rosenberg, Selena Rust, Negrea Videa, Gábor Máté, Haidt and focuses on bullying prevention)
6. Digital Well-being Guidance (supports educators to become more aware of GenZ needs and how to overcome generation gaps, guiding teens for a healthy&conscious use of social media, algorythms and applications)

How has it been spreading?

The Happiness Lessons were first introduced in 2014, and since than 1800+ institutions have joined the Network. Among them there are kindergartens (35%), primary schools (35%), secondary schools (20%), Special needs institutions (Special Education, Foster Homes, Extracurricular Study or Arts schools, Mental health support social programmes for minors) (10%). The practitioner community has grown to 9000+ educators, reaching out to 200000+ children and young people in 8 countries. We established a network of “Happiness Lesson ambassadors": 40+ educators and 30+ students who live in different regions and burst high community activity, and 10 celebrities who support our mission. Scholars and research groups at different universities study the programme and support validation&impact assessment.
In 2026 we started small collaborations with local authorities to better reach out to education institutions of small towns that still did not engage in emotional literacy and mental health support programmes, and we have been offering one-day-long workshops for their teaching staffs. In May 2026 we have organized a national Mental Health Day with 40+ lecturers and contributors to learn about different topics important for our mental health in this era of change, 500+ participants attended. In 2026 we have published online (free to download) the Mavens of Mindset role-play based cardgame in 4 languages, which was developed in an international project with 100 young people as advisors.

How have you modified or added to your innovation?

We have added news from the year 2026 about improvement to the innovation.

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

Interested education professionals can join the Network though training with us or applying for the 'Happy Institution' title. We often invite professionals for workshops, conferences, speeches, or other events to explore why nurturing well-being in schools is an effective way to build better relationships with children, thus engage students better in learning. We are open for collaborations. You can download new English language resources (teaching and learning materials for 3-10 years old children, a role-play based cardgame for young people) from our international projects at https://www.worldhappinesslessons.com/european-projects/ and your feedbacks are welcome!

Impact & scalability

Impact & Scalability

Grounded in positive psychology, this program enhances wellbeing, resilience, and school climate through research-based lessons. Independent studies show measurable gains in relationships and mental health within months. With 9,000+ trained practitioners in 8 countries and multilingual, offline-ready resources, it scales effectively across diverse contexts.

HundrED Academy/Advisory Board Reviews

The Happiness Lesson Integrated Programmes' impact on SEL is backed by reputable scientific research conducted by independent sources. It constantly adapts and evolves its programs, such as the Positive Communication module, to address current needs in 4 age groups.

The Happiness Lesson Integrated Programmes' offline approach makes it easy to adapt across various contexts, including rural areas where internet connection is not viable. Its clear, scientifically researched 10-month curriculum makes it easy to sustain in the long term.

- Academy/Advisory Board member

Academy/Advisory review results

Impact

Scalability

Exceptional

High

Moderate

Limited

Insufficient

Exceptional

High

Moderate

Limited

Insufficient

Media

Sajtó és hírek

Flourishing and Character Strengths

NEW TOOLS FOR TEACHING WEL-BEING - CARDS AND BOOK 'Captain Moment' helps to learn about Mindfulness, while 'Heart Elf' support the recognition of feelings and emotions and connected needs, for ages 3-10. A teacher's report: https://boldogsagora.hu/gyerekek-munkai/uj-kalandok-szivmanoval-es-pillanatkapitannyal/

Mavens of Mindset - The good life cardgame - World Happiness Lessons

Me, myself and I - supporting children to better understand their minds and boost their potential - World Happiness Lessons

The Strength of Teamwork

VIDEO 10th Anniversary of the Happiness Lessons Watch what students, teachers and parents said about the programme for its' 10th birthday in 2024! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeePNC8s1jg

About us in ENGLISH https://www.worldhappinesslessons.com/

OUR IMPACT - ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS https://www.worldhappinesslessons.com/info/

HAPPINESS EDUCATION Our English website offers more insight into the 'Science of happiness' and why it is useful for Education. https://www.worldhappinesslessons.com/category/science-of-happiness/

STUDENT VOICES Happiness Lesson Student-Ambassadors support smaller kids in better inclusion, visit elderly people and create fun activities with them, or take care of school decorations emphasizing positive institutional climate. They also contribute the school radio and school journal activities with Positive playlists, news and campaigns. https://boldogsagora.hu/boldogsagora-diak-nagykoveteink/

FEEDBACKS COLLECTION Browse the 53.000+ uploads from Happiness Lesson groups' and classes on our website! There are narrative reports, images and videos, feedbacks from kids, students, teachers and parents about their engagement and the benefits of the Programme. https://boldogsagora.hu/gyerekek-munkai/

VIDEO For the Earth Day (22 April) 110,000 people sang together a song for sustainability in 2017, including the Happiness Lesson Network-member pre-schools and schools and since than the day has been celebrated with Bella Bagdi's song all around the Education Institutions. http://enekeljafoldert.hu/gyujts-egy-gyertyat-a-foldert/

TEACHER VOICES Meet the Happiness Lesson Educator Ambassadors of various age groups, who burst community activity in different regions, organize flashmobs, do open workshops, run parents' clubs, mentor new practitioners, host open lessons, organize big events or write articles about the impact of the programme in their communities. https://boldogsagora.hu/boldogsagora-pedagogus-nagykoveteink/

ARTICLE Celebration of the "International Happiness Day" on the 20th of March 2024 by the Happiness Lesson Network-member 1500+ pre-schools and schools, also involving local communities. https://boldogsagora.hu/blog/minden-eddiginel-tobb-boldogsagoras-megmozdulas-2024-marcius-20-an-a-boldogsag-vilagnapjan/

10,000 children sang for happiness

PLAYLIST Authentic songs about the 24 Character Strengths for 3-10 years old children to learn about their own strengths. By supporting children to understand their strengths, we help them to recognise how they can apply these strengths to different areas of life. The songs are collected in this youtube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCUI0cQQ8jRwVqwcpxKInh--lo5xknM0V

Implementation steps

Train with us! - Get to know our training programmes and choose the one that best fits your groups!

Our training programmes are 30 hours-long and include theoretical knowledge of related Research (20%), practical exercises, games, experiences (60%) and self-reflective tools (20%).
1. Happiness Lessons Basics: Increasing positivity level
2. Character Strengths: Flourish and success
3. Self-confidence building activities & growth mindset
4. Mindfulness and self-compassion programme
5. Positive communication and conflict resolution
6. Digital well-being guidance (for educators and parents)

Join the Network with your Institution!

Become a member of the "Happiness Lesson" Network. Involve supporters from your community and add to you pedagogical programme how you are planning to incorporate Positive Psychology topics, and ask for parents' declaration of support.
You may ask yourself the following questions:
- what are the needs of your students?
- how developed is the happiness skill in your groups?
- how much time and how often can you dedicate for the practical development of the Happiness Skill in and with your group?

Download the Happiness Lesson Resources!

We publish teaching materials and resources each month:
- authentically created children songs
- group relaxation and meditation audios
- psychodynamic activities
- collection of games and exercises
- creative project&celebration ideas
- interactive stories and tales
- ideas for reflection
- ideas for parents&families
Our resources are created for 4 age groups:
- 3-6 years old children
- 6-10 years old pupils
- 10-14 years old students
- 14-20 years old young people
+ 1 Special Needs groups

Plan the Happiness Lessons!

We offer ready-to-use annual structures and lesson plans that teachers can apply according to the needs of their groups and their possiblities and schedules.
In other cases educators can rely on the shared resources for specific interventions, such as conflict resolution, group building, stress release, reflection on an event, an unexpected life situation or challenge, prevention of bullying, guidance of digital well-being, planning intergenerational fun&educative sessions, setting common rules.

Carry out the Happiness Lessons!

As according to your plans in the pedagogical programme, dedicate daily, weekly or monthly time-slots to introduce Happiness Lesson Activities to your chosen groups.
You may structure the activity as such:
1. Group relaxation
2. Warm up game
3. Introduction of the chosen topic through a more complex exercise, story, art form, or experience
4. Debriefing of the experience
5. Reflection on learning and setting new goals
6. Possibilities of sharing a question, thought or message beyond the group

Share your experience with other practitioners of the Network!

After carrying out your daily/weekly/monthly Happiness Lesson(s), upload a brief report to our website with a few photos or videos. Include what was you aim, what did you do, what was extraordinary and how the children/students responded.
Browse others' experiences!
Join the 3-weekly online Club event and tell us about your experience, inspire others and ask your questions.
Join the facebook group (closed community) to see what's new in the practitioners community!

Know your options!

If you are stuck in planning, or have a dilema you can always:
- go back to your trainer and ask for support,
- browse the Happiness Lesson mentors and ask for advice from a practitioner who works with the same age group as you do,
- browse our publications and blogs,
- get in touch with the innovators for new ideas or to learn about past experiences,
- join the online, monthly Strength-focused Supervision group for educators (new in 2026) where a support group listens and tunes to your dilemma.

Involve your colleagues and local community!

New things may be scary for some people, this is why it's useful to take a step by step approach.
1. A 'Happy Institution' is stronger when more teachers are involved in the programme and support each other. Make your results visible for your colleagues and see who feels ready to join!
2. Collaborate with colleagues when doing activities in non-formal settings such as school trips, celebrations or public events.
3. Celebrate international world days of well-being with flashmobs, community events

Why to choose the Happiness Lesson Basics Programme for Increasing Positivity in your groups?

Based on Lyubomirsky's and Fredrickson's findings. It has been academically validated by The Positive Psychology Research Centre at ELTE University. Feedbacks confirm that "it helps to construct supportive and loving communities where individual needs are respected, and inspire teachers to constantly develop authentic practices to respond to their students' emotional needs. Students & teachers, practicing month by month learn to care about their own mental health and their environment."

Why to choose the Character Strengths Programme for exploring the kids' best personal potentials?

Running since 2020, this programme facilitates a strengths-focused approach to life (based on M. Seligman's and C. Peterson's findings) and reinforces affirmative communication in pedagogical situations. The education resources are based on the 24 character strengths of the VIA institute. Feedbacks confirms that it is "effective for discovering paths for personality flourishing focusing on individual character strengths and learning to use them in new ways, thus experiencing success."

Why to choose the Self-confidence Building Programme for strenghtening the growth mindset?

This module was created based on the Needs Assesment of the Happiness Lesson-teachers, and their view what was most crucial to tackle in Education after the pandemia: Self-confidence. It is the belief in our own skills, abilities and judgement; a belief that supports us to successfully face everyday challenges. In this 10-month, school-year programme, children and young people, with the help of a teacher, consciously work month by month on developing self-confidence and the growth mindset.

Why to choose the Mindfulness and self-compassion Programme for teaching coping mechanisms?

According to contemporary Research, for kids meeting academic and societal expectations, and developing abilities to cope with challenges has become more difficult after the pandemia. Many of today's students face challenges that affect their ability to focus attention, regulate difficult emotions, build internal resilience and form healthy relationships. The Annual Programme offers practical exercises, Mindfulness techniques and professional guidance for coping and practicing self-compassion.

Why to choose the Positive Communication training?

Positive Communication and Conflict Resolution has not yet been explored thoroughly as such in Positive Psychology. We mapped Research, practice and connected topics to develop a training programme that help educators in acknowledging emotions, expressing them assertively and empathetically, and supporting self-regulation in the expression of feelings. Conflict resolution includes tools from Restorative and Mediation practices. Based on Máté, Miriwell, Leontovich, Rosenberg, Waters, Videa, Rust

Why to choose the Digital Well-being Guidance? (NEW in 2026!)

This initiative empower users to navigate digital life consciously. They help recognize online risks, understand habits, and build healthier routines supporting well-being and connection. Flexible for individuals, families, schools, and workplaces. Based on research by Ellen Weinstein, Ágnes Kun, Orsolya Geray and ALL DIGITAL.