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As a lifelong educator, I’ve found that one of the most important ways we can help children truly thrive is through the development of emotional skills. By focusing on building happiness, confidence and resilience, we set them on a path toward success—both academically and personally.
Let’s talk about happiness first, because it’s one of the most fundamental aspects of any child’s overall well-being and, indeed, their academic success. When kids feel happy and secure, they’re much more likely to be engaged, focused, and willing to take risks in their learning.
Strong relationships are also a cornerstone of happiness, and the ability to build these bonds is a skill we actively encourage at our school. We make a point of addressing the value of social connections with both our students and their families. By actively teaching students about the importance of friendships, we give them a clear incentive to deepen existing bonds and cultivate new ones, fostering a sense of community.
We also make a concerted effort to make our school a positive and fun place. At NAIS Dublin and across all Nord Anglia schools, we want students to feel exceptionally valued and supported. School then becomes a safe place to freely develop ideas, to challenge and understand themselves and, crucially, to get inspired and to grow.
At NAIS Dublin, we’re also committed to helping students understand and nurture their happiness through a tried and true framework on Learned Wellbeing from Martin Seligman called PERMAH. This breaks happiness into six areas: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health. This approach helps students take an
active role in improving their well-being by making something as abstract as happiness feel tangible and achievable.
I also know that learning through exploration and joy releases chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which foster actual growth in the neocortex. You see this positivity working its magic in our teachers too!
To sum up, creating a positive atmosphere where students feel they belong is one of the most powerful ways we can support their well-being. When they feel happy and secure, they are more likely to embrace learning and grow emotionally.
Confidence is just as important, and to me it stems from truly believing they can achieve their goals.
To build confidence, it’s important to encourage your child to take ownership of their learning. Giving them the tools and the autonomy to set and meet their own goals not only boosts their belief in their abilities but also encourages a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
Another big factor in developing confidence is encouraging a genuine desire to learn and develop. When a child is taught their academic ability isn’t fixed but can be developed through effort and perseverance, they become more willing to embrace challenges. Instead of avoiding difficult tasks, confident students view them as opportunities for growth.
Our grade expeditions in Dublin, held at the start of each academic year, are a perfect example. Students push themselves outside their comfort zones with the guidance of their Form Tutors, gaining a sense of accomplishment and a foundation of confidence to carry through their school journey. We’re fortunate to have the Wicklow Mountains in our “backyard,” and by simply choosing to head outside and walk up them, we not only build physical strength but also foster a culture of growth mindset and well-being.
Something I always tell families is that confidence doesn’t just come from being told how great you are—it comes from seeing the tangible results of your effort. When students understand that challenges are part of the learning journey, they begin to trust in their ability to succeed.
Last but certainly not least is resilience, arguably one of the most important qualities a child can develop. Life presents challenges at every turn, and how students respond to these challenges defines their success. Teaching students to embrace adversity, learn from mistakes, and keep going despite setbacks is as important a lesson as we’ll ever teach them.
A resilient student understands that failure is part of the process of creation. They learn how to manage risk, ask for help when needed, and adapt to new circumstances.
Children need to know that setbacks aren’t permanent. It’s about helping them develop the skills to bounce back from difficulty and keep moving forward with determination. If you’ll forgive an analogy, a tree grows quickly in the absence of any stress but will get flattened by the first gust that hits it. On the flipside, it grows far stronger when it knows how to weather a storm.
By focusing on building happiness, confidence, and resilience, we help children develop the emotional and mental tools necessary for success. When they feel supported, empowered, and able to overcome challenges, they are more likely to excel in all aspects of their lives.
At NAIS Dublin, we believe that by nurturing these qualities, we create well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the future, whatever it may hold. All Nord Anglia schools focus on these attributes too; well-being is at the heart of our global education strategy, helping students across all our schools feel supported, confident, and ready to thrive—academically, emotionally, and beyond.
Barnaby Sandow joined as the Principal of Nord Anglia International School Dublin in August 2024. Discover Barny’s reflections on Irish positivity and his exciting journey at NAIS Dublin in The Irish Times.
Read more about the importance of children’s happiness in this INSIGHTS article.