PSHCE Activity: Exploring Global Perspectives On Happiness.pdf

The Value of Happiness

This activity explores the factors contributing to individual happiness by comparing personal experiences with those depicted in a video featuring children from diverse cultures.

Task 1: Personal Happiness Ranking

Participants sorted cards representing various aspects of life (e.g., family, pets, education, activities) in order of their personal level of happiness, from least to most happy.

Task 2: Video Perspective

After watching the video (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07tcv6k), participants re-ordered the cards based on the experiences and perspectives of the children featured in the video.

Task 3: Cultural Sensitivity

Reading about Joseph, a 10-year-old from Accra, Ghana, prompted a final re-ordering of the cards. Participants considered how cultural differences might influence what constitutes happiness by comparing Joseph's experiences to those of the children in the video.

Key Differences:

Material Possessions: While material possessions like a new phone and a swimming pool ranked highly for Joseph, the children in the video seemed happier with simpler pleasures, suggesting a potential shift in priorities when considering global perspectives.
Family Time: Joseph expressed a desire for more time with his parents despite their busy schedules and financial ability to provide luxuries. The video showcased children who appeared content with their family dynamics, even if they lacked material wealth.
Education and Aspirations: Joseph's ambition to become an astronomer and emphasis on academic achievement contrasted with the diverse educational backgrounds and aspirations depicted in the video. This highlights the multifaceted nature of happiness across cultures.
Cultural Activities: Joseph's structured extracurricular activities (riding, soccer, piano, painting) stood in contrast to the more spontaneous play and community interactions shown in the video.