Joy can do more than make school feel good, research links it with learning as well as individual and collective flourishing.
Greater Good in Education asked its newsletter readers to share their favorite strategies for bringing joy into schools and classrooms, resulting in 17 ideas spanning different ages, subjects, and time commitments.
Among the ideas shared:
- Notice everyday joy: Students can reflect on what made them smile, share their little wins, or end the day by recognizing joyful moments, kindness from others, and their own positive contributions.
- Use movement, music, and laughter: Dance parties, favorite-song playlists, playful games, and intentionally ending a class with laughter can help make joy and connection part of the school experience.
- Celebrate curiosity and imperfection: Activities involving awe, creative exploration, engineering challenges, and even drawing with the non-dominant hand encourage students to experiment, persevere, and enjoy learning without needing everything to be perfect.
- Build belonging through others: Welcoming messages, joyful greetings, and opportunities to recognize strengths and kindness in classmates can turn joy into a way of strengthening connection and community.
Greater Good explores the science of a meaningful life.
