For humans, a sense of belonging is crucial to our quality of life: it affects our happiness, mental and physical health, and life satisfaction. This probably doesn’t come as a surprise to you– we can all agree that one of the best parts of our lives is getting together and sharing memories with others.
For children, belonging can shape not only who they are, but also who they will become! Anything parents can do to encourage belonging in their child’s life is critical. Thankfully, there are many ways to foster a sense of belonging with friends, family and community, and there’s no better time to start than now!
What is a sense of belonging? What are we learning from research? |
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Research has found many mental health benefits of belonging as well. A study from the Child Development journal found that belonging is linked to higher levels of self-esteem and friendliness, and lower levels of anxiety, depression and hostility towards others. Another study observed that when belonging is paired with good social support, we have more resilience, which helps us “bounce back” after stressful life events (Read the full study here.). Finally, researchers at the University of British Columbia found that peer belonging is associated with higher optimism: when children feel they belong, especially with kids their age, they have a more positive outlook on life.
Belonging can influence our physical health, too. An abundance of research has shown that the more meaningful social relationships you have, the longer you live! The theory behind this is that social connections give us purpose in life, and therefore we adopt healthier lifestyles and have motivation to overcome physical illnesses. How amazing is that?
Parents play a role!
The family is the first ‘group’ a child is ever a part of! If a child has a sense of family belonging, it will be easier for them to integrate in other groups as they get older. There are so many ways parents can help do this — many of which you might already be doing!
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Key takeaways:
- There are many opportunities to foster a sense of belonging with your friends, family and community.
- A sense of belonging is feeling accepted and supported by members of a group, including family belonging, peer belonging and community belonging.
- Having a sense of belonging has countless benefits for children’s mental, physical and social well-being.
- Parents play a significant role in developing children’s sense of belonging, and there are many ways they can do this.