Contents
1. Cultivate ‘hygge’ as a family
Surely you’ve heard of Danish “hygge” (pronounced “huggueu”)? It can be translated as “spending quality moments with family or friends”. The Danes have elevated hygge to the art of living. These moments of conviviality reinforce the feeling of belonging.
Do it at home. Share an activity with the family. For example, start making a large fresco all together. Hygge can also be singing a song with several voices. Why not create a repertoire of family songs?
2. Experiment without preventing
In Denmark, parents practice the concept of the “proximal development zone” with their children. They are in the accompaniment, but they offer the child a space to experiment. By exploring, climbing … the child feels in control of his challenges and difficulties. He also learns to manage the level of danger and stress that his brain can withstand.
Do it at home. Let him climb, try … without intervening! Yes, it forces you to turn your tongue 7 times in your mouth when you see your child behaving like a pig!
3. Reframing positively
Far from being happy fools, the Danes practice “positive reframing”. For example, if it rains on a vacation day, a Dane will exclaim, “Chic, I’m going to curl up on the couch with my kids,” instead of cursing the sky. Thus, Danish parents, faced with a situation where the child is blocked, help him to redirect his attention in order to transform the situation in order to live it better.
Do it at home. Our child tells us that he is “bad at football”? Acknowledge that this time around he didn’t play well, while asking him to remember the times he scored goals.
4. Develop empathy
In Denmark, empathy lessons are compulsory at school. At school, children learn to express their feelings authentically. They say if they are disappointed, worried… Empathy improves the feeling of belonging.
Do it at home. If your child wants to make fun of a friend, encourage him to talk about himself: “How did you feel when he said that to you? Maybe he feels bad too? ”
5. Encourage free play
In the Danish kindergarten (under 7 years old) all the time is devoted to play. Children have fun chasing each other, fighting over fakes, playing aggressor and aggressor. By practicing these games, they develop their self-control, and learn to face conflicts. Through free play, the child learns to better regulate his emotions.
Do it at home. Let your child play freely. Alone or with others, but without parental intervention. If the game escalates, ask them, “Are you still playing or are you fighting for real?” ”