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These skills help us to seek out and connect with the world around us. They are the skills that mean we notice the people, places and things around us, that make us want to ask questions and learn about the way things are, and that lead us to seeking out new experiences such as exploring new places or taking on a new challenge. With these skills we can take in the everyday wonders of our world – from the beauty of sunrise to a baby’s giggle.

These skills are:

  • Be curious
  • Be creative
  • Feel joy

Why do these skills matter for a happy and healthy life?

These skills help us to seek out and connect with the world around us, and engage with and appreciate the world in a deeper way. Curiosity drives us to ask questions, seek knowledge, and discover new things about people, places, or ideas. These skills help us to seek out new experiences and take on new challenges. An open-minded and curious approach supports continuous learning and growth, allowing us to understand the world in new and enriching ways.

Creativity plays a key role in how we interact with the world, enabling us to approach challenges with fresh perspectives and find innovative solutions. It is increasingly recognised as important in work environments. Creativity also allows us to express ourselves and enjoy the beauty in nature, music and the arts.

Expanding our capacity for joy allows us to find moments of joy in all aspects of our lives and to connect with our deeper sense of contentment and hopefulness – even if we are not feeling happy in a specific moment. Recognising and feeling gratitude for the small wonders around us – like a beautiful sunset or a kind gesture – helps us to embrace life’s experiences, and contributes to our happiness and sense of fulfilment.

We asked experts in the field to share their thoughts

Find out more about the other clusters of skills within the framework:

Know ourselves

Know ourselves

Who we are as individuals

Manage our emotions

Manage our emotions

How we understand, process and manage our emotions

Focus our thoughts

Focus our thoughts

How we effectively learn, work and manage life

Communicate with others

Communicate with others

How we recieve and share feelings, thoughts and information

Nuture our relationships

Nuture our relationships

How we get along and build relationships with others

The Shaping Us Framework – Full report

The Full Report describes the framework in detail and outlines how skills develop in early childhood.

The Shaping Us Framework –  Technical report

The Technical Report explains how the framework was created and the research that underpins it.

The Shaping Us Framework – Short guide

The Short Guide gives a quick description of each cluster of skills and why they matter.