New generations bring about new challenges and children today are under increasing pressure in terms of academic, sporting, social and cultural performance in their daily lives. In our fast-paced society, children’s needs are evolving, and as their time is ever more occupied by anonymous screens, it is vital for them to be afforded time and opportunity to rediscover the joys of doing things together, both for themselves and for others. This is where Positive Education and holidays comes in.
The importance of Positive Education
Positive Education is a science-based approach that promotes children’s sense of well-being and resilience. It focuses on soft skills such as adaptability, collaboration, creativity and emotional intelligence, and in so doing helps kids grow into more fulfilled and resilient adults, engaged and capable of bouncing back. And because holidays are a very special moment in children’s development, offering a context where creativity, courage, appreciation, teamwork or self-expression can be kindled and fostered – by bringing Positive Education into holiday programmes, little travellers get to develop their soft skills by participating in activities that are fun and constructive as they have always been. In 1967 Club Med, pioneers in all-inclusive holidays, remodelled the world of family holidays by inventing the Mini Club Med®, a premium childcare programme for 4 -10-year-olds that combines quality moments of reconnection and expertise in childcare. From 2022, this incredible offering has been enhanced into Mini Club Med +, with brand new fun-packed activities and a Positive Education framework, with the best of Mini Club Med classics revisited, which inspires children to be happy and blossom with confidence.
Professor Ilona Boniwell, Expert in Positive Psychology and Positive Education and Consultant for Club Med states, “Parents are often only too aware of the complex context in which their children grow up. They are generally very knowledgeable about the best approach for their kids, but implementing it is not so easy! Positive Education responds to one of their major concerns, which is – how to raise happy children? The added bonus is that this approach brings a range of activities that motivate, interest and make children feel valued by combining education and fun.”
“Essentially, the idea is to help each child identify their own strengths by giving them an essential role within the group during playtime. We want to showcase what makes them special and foster a sense of pride, inclusion and cooperation. We believe a child flourishes as an individual but within a group and Mini Club Med + provides an ideal environment for this,” says Laura Hendel, Marketing Manager of Club Med Southern Africa. Club Med, will be launching Mini Club Med + at some of their top resorts like La Plantation d’Albion, La Pointe aux Cannoniers (both in Mauritius) and Club Med Seychelles, which are firm favourites among travellers from South Africa.
Positive Education inspires children to be happy, bond, and grow with confidence. With this approach, the following strengths are progressively revealed in a caring, stimulating and inclusive environment:
Being creative – Which isn’t just about knowing how to make something beautiful, it’s also about being curious, learning new things, developing critical thinking and finding solutions.
Being courageous – Can mean confronting the unknown, daring to do something new or overcoming your fear, but it can also mean simply going on stage, speaking to a group, or even just voicing a different opinion
Cooperation – Is about being a good team member, taking initiative and knowing how to communicate within a group.
Cheerfulness – Is about being vivacious, full of life and energy, sharing your enthusiasm and optimism and having a great sense of humour.
Being self-confident – Comes through success and perseverance. Mastering new skills, the freedom to learn from their failures, showing spunk and paving the way to achievements that foster a sense of pride and self-esteem.
Connection – Is succeeding in building meaningful relationships and bonding with others, showing emotional intelligence or altruism and knowing how to express gratitude towards others.
At each of the Club Med resorts, G.Os® (“Gentils Organisateurs” who host all the Mini Club’s activities) are on hand to supervise sports and create unique entertainment that all contribute to making a holiday a truly unforgettable experience, and to ensure that families have a great time. “All Mini Club Med + G.Os® completed a training course aimed at applying the Positive Education framework. Being able to put this framework into practice made us see what a game-changer it is. We encourage kids to value and recognise their strengths through bracelets and we see the children are so happy and proud to receive them! I am convinced that these moments that children experience collectively, as a group will make lasting memories,” adds Hendel.
Playful, fun activities, with no pressure; just the right rhythm of varied and stimulating activities throughout the day. That is Mini Club Med +. Designed and deployed for even more fun and valuable family holidays and memories, for both children and parents. This evolution perfectly matches the vision of Club Med’s founder, Gérard Blitz: “The purpose of life is to be happy. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now! ”
