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Flourishing Life Framework

This page includes guidance and resources for school staff and other caring adults who want to help students flourish.

On this page:

What does it mean to flourish?

To flourish means to have a state of thriving and positive well-being achieved by actively drawing on one’s mindset and resiliency skills, personal strengths, meaningful relationships, environmental supports, and sense of purpose.
When children and youth flourish, you will notice the following:

  1. They think about themselves in a positive way and believe in their potential.
  2. They have an attitude of hopefulness and confidence.
  3. They can face challenges and bounce forward.
  4. They know what their strengths are and can build upon those strengths.
  5. They feel connected, safe, and valued.

To flourish and experience positive well-being is a progressive and unique process that evolves over time. The more strengths a student has, the greater their capacity to be resilient and flourish when faced with life challenges.

Flourishing Life Framework

Public Health Sudbury & Districts adopted the Flourishing Life Framework (PDF, 217.63 KB) as a lens through which we connect with our school communities.

Watch Canadian psychologist Dr. Wayne Hammond introduce the Flourishing Life Framework.

What is the Flourishing Life Framework?

The Flourishing Life Framework is a holistic strengths-based approach aimed at enhancing developmental and educational outcomes for children and youth. We believe that all students and their families have strengths, resources, and abilities to flourish when supported by caring relationships. The Flourishing Life Framework is an approach that contributes to positive mental health and overall well-being.

What is a strength-based approach?

A strength-based approach focuses on a student’s strengths and builds upon them. This approach values and affirms the individual and what they can do, rather than what they cannot do yet. This approach is the foundation to the Flourishing Life Framework. It incorporates universal support for all students and staff.

When a strength-based approach is used in the classroom (and the entire school) it positively transforms the way educators interact with students and the way students view themselves and their own potential.

What are the 11 beliefs of flourishing?

The strengths-based approach to flourishing and well-being, begins with the following 11 beliefs (PDF, 887.04 KB). They are the foundation for guiding and implementing strength-based practices:

  1. All students have strengths and can flourish.
  2. Students’ strengths shape their success and define who they are.
  3. What we focus on becomes reality.
  4. All students want to succeed and contribute positively.
  5. Students can flourish and experience well-being when supported.
  6. Focusing on challenges limits students from identifying their strengths.
  7. When students feel validated and safe, they will value what others offer.
  8. Flourishing and experiencing well-being is a dynamic process unique to each student.
  9. Supportive relationships bring positive change.
  10. Students do the best they can with what they have learned and experienced.
  11. What a student thinks about themselves is more important than what others think.

How can I help students flourish?

School staff can have a powerful and positive impact on students each day by purposefully using strategies to enhance flourishing and well-being.

Discover and foster strengths in your students

Build student potential through positive relationships

See a problem? Make it a learning opportunity.

Understand your students and their mindset

What is growth mindset?

Growth mindset is believing that you can learn new things and that skills can be improved with effort and practise. It encompasses concepts of practise, perseverance, resiliency, and grit.

How to foster growth mindset in the classroom (or at home)?

  1. Praise what the student does, not who they are. For example, say “I see you worked really hard on that” rather than, “you’re so smart”.
  2. Praise effort, perseverance, and work ethic.
  3. Use the word “yet” to remind students that they may not be able to do something “yet” but with hard work they will improve.
  4. Encourage students to gradually step out their comfort zone.
  5. Teach students that it’s okay to make mistakes and to learn from mistakes or failures.
  6. Celebrate each student’s successes.

Connect with your students

  1. Be curious.
  2. Be appreciative.
  3. Be positive.
  4. Be supportive.
  5. Be respectful.
  6. Be open.
  7. Believe in potential.

Why do caring adults matter?

Caring adults play an important role in the lives of children and youth. Science tells us that the reliable presence of at least one supportive relationship and multiple opportunities for developing coping skills are essential building blocks for the capacity to do well when facing life’s challenges (Center on the Developing Child – Harvard University, PDF).

Our Caring Adults Matter Campaign aims to inspire adults in simple ways and promote well-being, resiliency, and a flourishing life for children and youth. The campaign offers practical ideas for adults to try, ideas that can reduce the likelihood of risky behaviours among children and youth, and have a positive impact on their emotional health and well-being.

Resources

Check out the resources listed below and start enhancing student well-being and flourishing today!

Connections and positive caring relationships

Take action that help foster positive relationships. Download the following posters and notes:

Growth mindset

Activities and handouts to understand and foster growth mindset in students of all ages:

Mental well-being

Easy-to implement mental health activities and practices for all students:

Strengths and sparks

Identify and celebrate strengths and sparks in your students:

Visit our elementary school curriculum resources page and our secondary school curriculum resources page, divided by grades and by resource type. Within each health topic area, you’ll find resources and supports for teaching the Ontario Ministry of Education Health and Physical Education curriculum.

Contact us

For additional resources to support flourishing in students and adults, for requests, more information, or to share a success story, please contact us at schoolhealthteam@phsd.ca, or at 705.522.9200, ext. 393, or fill out our school request form.

This item was last modified on March 13, 2024