3 Views about wellbeing
Listen to Audio 1 which covers a range of perspectives on wellbeing. Consider what this term means to them.
The audio interviews illustrate the different ways in which wellbeing is understood by different people. You heard parents/ carers and practitioners talk about how wellbeing can be considered as both physical and emotional, and how it also connects to much broader ideas about safety, having fun and being creative as well as feeling included, being respected by others and that you belong. Furthermore, the audio introduces the idea of thriving and reaching ones potential, which is core foundation for a child and young persons wellbeing. A few of the practitioners also talk about how the concept of wellbeing aligns with ideas about happiness and contentment- reflecting how a person feels.
You can see that the concept of wellbeing is highly subjective and changeable and may be influenced by a variety of social, economic, psychological and physical factors.
In the next activity, you will generate your own ideas about these factors which influence a child or young person’s wellbeing
Activity 3 What different factors influence wellbeing?
What different factors do you think influence a child or young person’s wellbeing? Spend some time adding your own ideas to the interactive below. It focuses on four factors which potentially influence a child or young person’s wellbeing (psychological, economic, social and physical factors).
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Psychological factors: a child or young person’s sense of self, their identities and their self-esteem can contribute to their wellbeing.
Physiological factors: a child or young person’s health, as well as their abilities and disabilities, can also shape how they feel and their wellbeing.
Social factors: including family and peer relationships, domestic circumstances and local communities can influence a child or young person’s wellbeing.
Economic factors: access to secure housing, amenities and health care, for example, can impact a child or young person’s wellbeing.
OpenLearn - Children’s wellbeing and creativity
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