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Positive Psychology in the Classroom

Teaching students to be self-aware, self-assured, and self-sufficient.

Education
International Positive Education Network (IPEN) Festival

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on July 21, 2016

Flip your lid, settle your glitter, stand on your head, use your red cape and green cape, use your soaring words, and be an orange frog! Every school should host a mini-festival!

Flip your lid, settle your glitter, stand on your head, use your red cape and green cape, use your soaring words, and be an orange frog! Every school should host a mini-festival!

Mindfulness
Positive Psychology of Mindfulness

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on July 27, 2015

When students call out "Present', make sure they know what it means. So what does "Present" really mean? It does not just mean "here" - it means here in the moment and mindfully in touch with the learning.

When students call out "Present', make sure they know what it means. So what does "Present" really mean? It does not just mean "here" - it means here in the moment and mindfully in touch with the learning.

Positive Psychology
Wednesday's Child #1

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on June 17, 2015

Wednesdays Child is a weekly feature that brings conversations about positive psychology in the classroom to life! Join us or start your own conversation today!

Wednesdays Child is a weekly feature that brings conversations about positive psychology in the classroom to life! Join us or start your own conversation today!

Positive Psychology
The Positive Psychology of Dance

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on April 11, 2015

Dancing stretches the mind and exercises the heart making us physically and emotionally stronger. Dancing communicates deep feelings and connects us to others in intimate ways. Dancing imparts meaning and a sense of accomplishment. Dancing is positive psychology in action. Put it to work in your classroom.

Dancing stretches the mind and exercises the heart making us physically and emotionally stronger. Dancing communicates deep feelings and connects us to others in intimate ways. Dancing imparts meaning and a sense of accomplishment. Dancing is positive psychology in action. Put it to work in your classroom.

Motivation
The 7 Secrets of a Happy Brain

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on April 6, 2015

How do educators help wire the naturally curious and optimistic student's brain? How do they activate the executive functions essential to learning in nurturing and not harsh ways? Unlocking the secrets of the happy brain is the key to happy classrooms.

How do educators help wire the naturally curious and optimistic student's brain? How do they activate the executive functions essential to learning in nurturing and not harsh ways? Unlocking the secrets of the happy brain is the key to happy classrooms.

Education
Leaving No Brain Behind

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on August 30, 2014

At the 2014 Learning and Brain Conference in San Francisco this year, I discussed the intersection of neuroscience and positive psychology in education. This is not just “warm and fuzzy” teaching anymore.

At the 2014 Learning and Brain Conference in San Francisco this year, I discussed the intersection of neuroscience and positive psychology in education. This is not just “warm and fuzzy” teaching anymore.

Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology is Good for Your Student’s Brain II

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on August 23, 2014

Experience that activates emotional assets - and diminishes emotional deficits - promotes optimal learning and well-being in school. How can you harness the power of emotional learning?

Experience that activates emotional assets - and diminishes emotional deficits - promotes optimal learning and well-being in school. How can you harness the power of emotional learning?

Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology Is Good for Your Student's Brain I

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on January 29, 2014

Brain plasticity and neurogenesis means teachers can create learning experiences that shape optimal learning and well-being. Do you know why positive psychology is good for the learning brain?

Brain plasticity and neurogenesis means teachers can create learning experiences that shape optimal learning and well-being. Do you know why positive psychology is good for the learning brain?

Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology Meaning in Halloweening

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on October 30, 2013

Behind every mask is a child and behind every child is a story. What story do you want that child to tell this Halloween? In the telling of a story, we reveal our inner hero.

Behind every mask is a child and behind every child is a story. What story do you want that child to tell this Halloween? In the telling of a story, we reveal our inner hero.

Flow
The Positive Psychology of Flow

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on October 27, 2013

In the classroom, emotions flow in every direction and either prime the pump of learning or obstruct it. How can educators help students follow their flow?

In the classroom, emotions flow in every direction and either prime the pump of learning or obstruct it. How can educators help students follow their flow?

Positive Psychology
The Talent Development Institute

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on October 13, 2013

"The talent is in the choices." –Robert De Niro. What if you give students choices about what they want to learn and how they want to learn it?

"The talent is in the choices." –Robert De Niro. What if you give students choices about what they want to learn and how they want to learn it?

Fear
What Happy Children and Teens Do Differently

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on July 10, 2013

"Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will" - James Stephens. Happy children learn to not let fear stifle creative thought, feeling, or action.

"Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will" - James Stephens. Happy children learn to not let fear stifle creative thought, feeling, or action.

Positive Psychology
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on May 7, 2013

"Teaching might be the greatest of all arts because the medium is the human mind and spirit." - John Steinbeck. A letter to a teacher captures the essence of teaching positive psychology and the power of a teacher.

"Teaching might be the greatest of all arts because the medium is the human mind and spirit." - John Steinbeck. A letter to a teacher captures the essence of teaching positive psychology and the power of a teacher.

Education
The 3 R's of Emotional Learning

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on April 27, 2013

“But feelings cannot be ignored no matter how unjust or ungrateful they may seem.” –Anne Frank. Emotional literacy is a pre-requisite for social mastery.

“But feelings cannot be ignored no matter how unjust or ungrateful they may seem.” –Anne Frank. Emotional literacy is a pre-requisite for social mastery.

Positive Psychology
The Positive Psychology of Making Amends

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on April 8, 2013

“The place of justice is a hallowed place.” - Sir Francis Bacon. Punishment is not the same as justice and has little, if any, redeeming educational value. Restorative justice programs in the classroom teach compassion and promote the well-being of all students.

“The place of justice is a hallowed place.” - Sir Francis Bacon. Punishment is not the same as justice and has little, if any, redeeming educational value. Restorative justice programs in the classroom teach compassion and promote the well-being of all students.

Fantasies
Visualize the Good and the Bad

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on March 24, 2013

"What is now proved was once only imagined." - William Blake. Students can be taught to envision positive outcomes. They can also be taught to envision how they will cope with less than positive outcomes. How are both optimism and pessimism entangled in our well-being?

"What is now proved was once only imagined." - William Blake. Students can be taught to envision positive outcomes. They can also be taught to envision how they will cope with less than positive outcomes. How are both optimism and pessimism entangled in our well-being?

Optimism
Optimism: The Luck of the Irish

Patty O'Grady Ph.D. on March 16, 2013

“May good luck be a friend in all you do and trouble a stranger to you.” – Irish Blessing. The music, the toasts, the blessings…even the wakes…are a testimony to an optimistic view of life. What can the Irish teach us about optimism inviting good luck?

“May good luck be a friend in all you do and trouble a stranger to you.” – Irish Blessing. The music, the toasts, the blessings…even the wakes…are a testimony to an optimistic view of life. What can the Irish teach us about optimism inviting good luck?