In simple terms, eudaimonic happiness is feeling that your life has meaning and purpose and using your experiences to learn and grow to your full potential. This happiness is about a satisfying life as a whole and is often explained in contrast to hedonic happiness, which is feeling good in the moment within an experience. Arguably, having both kinds of happiness in your life is great!
Eudaimonic happiness is especially important for the future of our children and may be more challenging to attain in today’s society of instant gratification. Montessori classrooms give children many opportunities to develop this happiness, and you can at home too!
Set the table and/or help prepare part of the meal
Pitch in with cleaning up and/or be in charge of small chores, such as watering plants
Dress themselves and help you with laundry
Help solve problems (if they are new to problem-solving, they will need help with finding appropriate choices)
Learn that emotions are keys to what we may want to do differently next time
Be respectful to others, even when feeling big emotions
Learn that mistakes are learning opportunities
Teaching children skills so they can be both independent and a functional part of their community gives them a sense of purpose and helps them feel they belong. Being a patient role model in problem-solving, and helping children through the process teaches children how to grow from EVERY experience. When children have the space and time to practice these skills they are functioning in real life, fulfilled in an eudaimonic way, and less likely to need instant happiness from each experience.
