Ten ways to grow children’s happiness in the year ahead | Canada Voices

Ask a Child Psychologist offers insights and advice on navigating youth emotional and mental well-being. It is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical advice.

Every parent’s deepest wish is simple: They want their child to be happy. After nearly 30 years of sitting with families in both their hardest and most joyful moments, I’ve come to understand that happiness in childhood doesn’t come from grand gestures or constant entertainment. It grows from consistent care, connection and the sense that one’s world is safe, meaningful and full of possibility.

Here are 10 ways to nurture happiness and emotional well-being in children in the year ahead.

1. Spend time with them

It sounds simple but it’s true: Spending quality time with your kids matters. Children thrive when they feel seen and valued. Even brief moments of undivided attention – sharing a snack, walking the dog, or chatting before bedtime – send a powerful message: You matter to me. One of the most effective ways to boost a child’s sense of happiness is to show genuine interest in their world.

2. Hear them

Children often communicate in subtle ways – through stories, drawings or the tone of their voice. Listening carefully and taking their feelings seriously helps them learn that their inner world matters. Asking gentle, open-ended questions can also encourage them to share more fully, helping you understand what they are experiencing without feeling pressured or judged. A child who feels genuinely heard learns to trust both others and themselves.

3. Give them choice

Allowing children to make age-appropriate decisions strengthens their confidence and sense of agency. It can be as simple as deciding which route to take on a family walk or choosing their own outfit for school. These small moments of control help children feel capable and respected.

4. Encourage friendships and connections

Positive relationships are one of the strongest predictors of lifelong well-being. Support your child in building and maintaining friendships, even when it takes patience or guidance. For a shy child, that might mean arranging a one-on-one playdate; for an older child, it could mean helping them navigate the ups and downs of peer relationships.

5. Allow free play and independence

Children need unstructured time to explore, imagine, and simply be. Free play fosters creativity, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Resist the urge to fill every moment with structured activities – sometimes the best thing you can do is step back and let them figure it out on their own.

6. Support their passions and interests

Even when your child’s interests differ from your own, showing curiosity and encouragement matters deeply. If your child loves insects, learn about beetles with them; if they’re drawn to art, hang their drawings proudly. What counts is not the hobby itself, but the sense of being supported in discovering who they are.

7. Keep conflict and stress away from them

Children are highly sensitive to the emotional tone of their environment. When adult worries – financial, relational or otherwise – spill into their world, they can internalize that stress. Shielding them from unnecessary tension helps them feel secure, allowing their energy to go toward growth, not anxiety.

8. Cultivate kindness – toward self and others

Children who learn to be kind to themselves are better equipped to be kind to others. When they make mistakes, help them treat themselves gently instead of with harsh self-criticism. You might model this by saying, “I’m disappointed I forgot that appointment, but everyone slips up sometimes.”

Encourage them to extend that same grace outward – for example by helping a friend who’s sad or welcoming someone who feels left out. When children understand that kindness flows both inward and outward, they build the foundation for empathy, resilience and deep happiness.

9. Maintain routines and healthy boundaries – especially around screens

Structure provides predictability, and predictability builds safety. Bedtime rituals, family meals, and clear expectations about rules help children know what to expect from their day and from the adults around them.

In today’s world, it is also helpful to recognize the impact that excessive screen time can have on children’s sleep, attention and overall mental health. Establishing family routines that include designated screen-free periods – such as during meals or an hour before bed – encourages presence and connection.

When boundaries are consistent, children not only feel secure, they also learn to regulate their own time, attention, and emotional well-being.

10. Help them find a sense of meaning

Ultimately, happiness is rooted in purpose. Encourage your child to explore what makes them feel alive – whether helping others, caring for the environment, or expressing themselves creatively. A sense of meaning gives children a foundation that lasts long after fleeting moments of pleasure have passed.

Happiness isn’t something we can hand to children; it’s something we help them build within themselves. When children feel loved, capable and connected, they don’t just become happier – they become more compassionate, curious, and resilient. If there’s one guiding principle for the year ahead, it’s this: Children remember how we made them feel. Every small act of attention, empathy and care contributes to the lifelong architecture of their happiness.

Dr. Jillian Roberts is a research professor of educational psychology at the University of Victoria. She is also a practising registered psychologist in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. She specializes in child and adolescent development, family therapy and inclusive education.