The Childhood Roots to Adult Happiness

The Childhood Roots to Adult
Happiness
Edward M. Hallowell, M.D.
Relationship to Sport
 “Sports, when approached in the right way,
can be as valuable as academics in the
development of a happy child.”
A Repeating Cycle of Five Steps
 Connection – the most important point in
the cycle. By growing up with a strong
sense of connectedness, a child develops a
sense of what Erikson called basic trust.
The child develops a feeling of security and
safety which instills courage and the desire
to take risks.
A Repeating Cycle of Five Steps
 Play – builds imagination. Play with other
children teaches skills of problem solving
and cooperation. A child who learns to play
alone will never be lonely. Play teaches the
ability to tolerate frustration and it teaches
the all-important ability to fail. Play
generates joy and allows the experience of
flow.
A Repeating Cycle of Five Steps
 Practice – learning anything – hurts
somewhat. You see how bad you are at it
and with encouragement there is
improvement. With practice comes
discipline. “The best road to getting there
runs not through the land of fear and
punishment but through the land of
connection, play, practice, mastery &
recognition.” He/she learns how to be
coached.
A Repeating Cycle of Five Steps
 Mastery – I can do it!, Now I get it! The
roots of self-esteem lie not in praise but in
mastery. It also develops confidence,
leadership skills, initiative, and an enduring
desire to work hard.
A Repeating Cycle of Five Steps
 Recognition – Mastery leads naturally to
recognition and approval by a larger group.
It leads to social connectedness, moral
behavior and motivation.