Assisi International School: Happiness Lies in Positive Interdependence

We had the privilege of experiencing one of the many “AIS Experiences”, spending three days immersed in the Kindergarten and Primary School on the occasion of International Day of Happiness on March 20. Who were the protagonists of this adventure? The girls and boys aged three to six, constantly driven by contagious curiosity and the desire to explore the secrets of joy.

How can the ideas and experiences that shape individual and collective happiness be translated into educational experiences according to the Pedagogy for the Third MillenniumPedagogy for the Third Millennium (PTM) is an interdisciplin... More? Immersed in a world of stories portraying happiness as an art, the young listeners discovered that it manifests in being with others, sharing what one has and who one is, helping for a common goal, and accepting others’ diversity. Using the simple and direct language typical of this age, they approached concepts such as interdependence and inclusion. Their voices, full of sincerity and innocence, gave life to stories and creations that reveal the simplicity of what happiness means to them: a hug, a smile, the warmth of family, a gift, playing with friends, a caress, a kind word, concrete gestures that form the emotional substance of cooperative learningThe term learning—with the synonyms to learn, assimilate, ... More.

Positive Interdependence and Cooperative Learning

Positive interdependence and cooperative learning have been the subject of numerous scientific studies highlighting their effectiveness and benefits in educational settings. Among the prominent studies is Johnson and Johnson’s 1992 work, “Cooperative Learning: Two Heads Learn Better Than One.” Research shows that cooperative learning practices can improve students’ academic performance and social development. Additionally, “Cooperative Learning,” published by Kegan in 1994, introduced specific techniques and strategies to implement cooperative learning in the classroom, highlighting how this approach can promote inclusion and active participation of all students.

Based on this research, the three sections of the Kindergarten joined together in an art workshop, transforming the classroom into a space for collective creativity. The result of their efforts, a wave of happiness, now decorates the school corridors—a tangible reminder of the joy of being together and creating something with and for others.

Primary school students embarked on a journey of self-exploration, using brainstorming, circle time, and group games to investigate the different moments of happiness in their lives. They discovered that the essence of joy lies in bonds with friends, hugs, play, and teamwork; and that kindness is the key that opens the doors to happiness, bringing joy to both the giver and the receiver.

Inspired by fairy tales, videos, scientific research, and philosophical reflections, the students interviewed family members and friends, exploring the multiple facets of happiness. They understood that sharing experiences and thoughts enriches individual knowledge, opening doors to diverse worlds and teaching acceptance of others’ ideas.

Triune Brain and Global Education

Furthermore, in line with the concept of global education and the “triune brain”—composed of a reptilian-instinctive part, a limbic-emotional part, and a cortical-rational part—children were encouraged to reflect on the different dimensions of their well-being. Through listening to their bodies, they discovered that happiness can be found in movement, proper posture for activities, group play, and awareness of emotions. They realized that happiness gives strength, energy, and enhances learning capacity.

Common Humanity

But the most significant discovery was realizing their ability to bring happiness to others. They recognized the resources within themselves and learned to use their qualities to bring joy to friends and adults around them. They understood that being happy requires effort, mutual help, and conscious actions.

Every day they reflected on reasons to be happy, discovering new sources of joy in every small aspect of school life, sports, and family. They experienced collaboration between different classes, learning from others and teaching in return, revealing that every person, even if not a friend, can contribute to collective happiness—a crucial piece in learning “common humanity,” now considered essential in resilienceAccording to the American Psychological Association, resilie... More research.

Finally, the entire Primary School gathered to share the results of their work, demonstrating that each of us has something to teach and something to learn. This experience charted a bright path through which the children realized that happiness is a journey, a collective commitment to mutual well-being.