People who grow up happily and develop normally, intellectually, mentally and socially, are those who were also happy during their childhood. What is a happy child like? They are active, they like to play, they like to socialize and they are in good physical health.
So how can we make sure our children are happy? The role of parents here is crucial. According to various surveys, factors that can make children happy include spending quality time with family as well as playing with friends.
Psychologist Elizabeth Santosa from the Indonesian Psychology Practice Foundation (YPPI) explains the connection between a happy child and the social and emotional intelligence she possesses, as well as the impact as he grows into an adult.
According to this psychologist, who is also a commissioner of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), happy children have better self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, as well as better social and decision-making skills.
All of these qualities, she continues, can influence various aspects in the future, including educational success, professional success and more, including compliance with applicable laws. Children’s happiness is also influenced by positive social interactions involving family members. Therefore, it is important for parents to spend time with their children.
“By spending time together, parents will also get to know their children and themselves better,” says Elizabeth. By knowing what makes them happy, she continues, fathers and mothers can become happy parents. This happiness can then be passed on to your partner and children, ultimately helping the child to grow and develop more optimally and become a happy individual. Another factor that can contribute to children’s happiness, according to Elizabeth, is good health and the ability to fulfill themselves, whether through art, hobbies, work or other personal interests.
Medical nutrition expert at the University of Indonesia Faculty of Medicine, Saptawati Bardosono, says there are four pillars of health that children need to grow and develop happily, namely complete nutrition from all foods and drinks. days, maintain health and physical fitness by participating in regular physical activities. “In addition, what influences children’s happiness is the quality of sleep according to their age. Children need to sleep longer than adults, between 10 and 12 hours,” she says.