Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the development of individual strengths instead of weaknesses. Instead of placing a focus on the components of mental illness, positive psychology focuses on how the positive events in a person’s life form their identity (Peterson, 2008).
Constructively utilising psychology is meant to help one's student deal with their problems. The term "positive education" is another name for positive psychology. In the 21st century, positive psychology interventions are assisting teachers in determining the needs of their students. Positive psychology has made a significant contribution by enabling teachers to serve as counselors for their cherished pupils. Students are very attached to their teachers because they spend the majority of their waking hours in class. Activities for 21st-century skills are used by teachers to promote positive education. Teachers are educating students in the fundamentals of positive psychology, including the development of positive emotions, engagements, the power of acceptance, the significance of relationships, and social skills, through critical thinking, brainstorming, share-pair activities and collaborative learning.
Singapore is a country that has been practicing positive psychology in its educational systems since 218. They are producing future leaders who better know how to be responsible. Singapore is a country that always gets nominated for the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the IEA's Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS), and one of the reasons for this is its introduction of positive education into their educational policies. They are fostering the character of their students through positive psychology. Their youth knows how to cope with negative energy and they know the disadvantages of negative thoughts. We have seen a clear difference in Singapore’s educational system after 2018. They have also set up a specific community which is the Singapore Positive Education Network (SPEN), through which they are providing positive education to the parents, teachers, and other members of their nation.
Gradually, the world is coming to understand the key importance of psychology. Psychology plays a crucial role in understanding the personality of any individual – and when you are an educator, you often have a keen awareness of what is bothering your student. An educational system takes up the responsibility of nurturing the personality of a student, whether he/she is a student of primary or secondary education. After the intervention of positive education, teachers are now able to better identify and cater to the needs of their students. They are able to understand the hidden signs of introverts, depressed, hyperactive, and dyslexic students – and to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate them.
Educational systems are the backbone of any country. If the educational system is updated and fulfilling its responsibilities, then that nation will surely grow: economically, socially and strategically. Bringing positive changes in the policies and educational institutes help a nation to produce leaders with good decision-making skills.
We do have counselors and psychiatrists to examine mental illness and to guide populations on these, but that cannot take away from teachers’ role and responsibility in making positive change in students' lives. After all, teachers have the second most important role after parents.
As an educator, I have always used positive psychology in my classroom. I can notice the little change in one student particularly – and I try to appreciate the little efforts that she is making to show her contribution to the classroom. At the end of the year, I have seen a huge positive change in that one little student of mine.
Keep practicing positive psychology in your classroom and bring change to society!