New Study Explores What Makes Young Children Happy in Early Childhood Education
2025-11-24 15:03
A new study, “What Makes Young Children Happy? Exploring Well-Being Through Children’s Perspectives in Early Childhood Education”, funded by CARCEIT, explores the well-being of young children in Kazakhstan. The research, led by Professor Daniel Hernández-Torrano, Laura Ibrayeva, Manat Sergazina, Anara Burambayeva, Aiida Kulsary, Dianne Vella-Brodrick, and Patricia Eadie, involved 316 children aged 4-7 from kindergartens across the country.
The study used the Draw, Write, and Tell (DWT) method and the PERMA-H framework, revealing that children associate happiness with Positive Emotions (nature, play, toys), Engagement (imaginative play, learning), and Relationships (family, peers, teachers). While Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health were mentioned less often, the findings show that joyful, social, and immediate experiences are central to children’s well-being.
This research offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers, guiding the creation of more nurturing and engaging learning environments. CARCEIT is proud to fund this impactful work, contributing to the global conversation on early childhood well-being.