Authors: Dr. Homesh Rani
Abstract: In contemporary society, fostering positive emotions among children has emerged as a significant developmental challenge. Positive emotions include joy, gratitude, hope, curiosity, resilience, and empathy that play prominent role in promoting psychological well-being, social competence, academic engagement, and overall healthy development. However, rapid advancement of technology has heightened academic expectations, and changing family dynamics have altered children's emotional experiences. From the perspective of positive psychology, the cultivation of positive emotions is essential because they broaden children's cognitive and behavioural capacities, strengthen resilience, and facilitate coping with everyday challenges. Consequently, educational institutions, families, and communities must adopt evidence-based strategies that promote emotional literacy, supportive relationships, mindfulness, gratitude, prosocial behaviour, and balanced use of technology. Such interventions are crucial for nurturing emotionally competent, resilient, and socially responsible individuals who can thrive in an increasingly complex and demanding world. This paper explores the conceptual foundations, historical development, major theoretical perspectives, and applications of positive psychology. It further highlights the contributions of Martin E. P. Seligman and other scholars in advancing a strengths-based approach to human development and well-being.
