​SSS in the News | The happiness that we want

Singapore ranked 34th in the United Nations’ World Happiness Report this year, a decline compared to the last two years. The paper surveyed 50 children aged 10 to 12 to find out what happiness means to them. Asst Prof Andy Ho from NTU’s Division of Psychology said children aged six to 12 are at the stage of learning skills and abilities. It is important to build these abilities and self-confidence, or the feeling of inferiority will set in. Through play, schoolwork and social interactions, children begin to discover their interests and strengths. Appropriate encouragement and affirmation can help to strengthen their self-concept, leading to greater wellbeing and happiness. But using materialistic rewards for academic accomplishment will reduce the motivation to learn for the sake of self-enrichment.