Generally, positive psychologists lay focus on enabling experiences, enduring psychological traits; and supportive relationships and participatory institutions. Also, the applications of positive psychology in character building; development of human potentials and strengths; and inculcation of human values and virtues are well-recognized.

Various sub-themes of the conference deal with the application of positive psychology in various professions and academic areas. The paper “Towards a Positive Psychology Based Hindi Primer: Creating Instructional Material for the Joy of Learning” of this citizen journalist will be presented on the first day of the conference. The abstract of the paper is as follows.

“Since life and learning cannot be separated and those involved in educational need to create the learning conditions, materials and processes that contribute to the optimal functioning of learners and educational institutions. Taken from this point of view, positive psychology can be regarded as a scientific study and its application that provides joy of learning and makes life worth living.

Keeping this in view, an attempt was made to create learning material for Hindi language for grade one with the elements of applied positive psychology of nurturing the human potential of learning with positivity, sense of success and optimism as virtues. The basic assumption was that potential is developed when learning accomplishment is realized then is refined with positive reinforcement.

The objectives of the intervention were: (a) To develop day-wise material for learning of Hindi in grade one with positive words from social life along with the words of which pictures can be made; (b) To validate the created material with a child psychologist, pedagogue and a teacher; (c) To do a lesson study on the created material. The outcomes of the intervention were that a positive psychology-based primer got developed and validated for piloting in the ensuing academic session. The implications of the intervention are the teacher training and curriculum development for the complete cycle of primary education with the elements of positive psychology and learning-enabling environment.”

The keywords of the paper are: enabling environment, joy of learning, learning potential, pedagogy, positive psychology elements.