All around the world, kids are being raised within different cultures, and are growing up in different ways. Here at UNII, we believe that when it comes to parenting and ensuring our children’s wellbeing, it’s always useful to hear about the way that our neighbours across the globe are doing it!

On that note, we thought that it would be interesting to discuss the Danish way of life, their concept of what is known as ‘Hygge’, and how we can relate this to bringing up our preschool kids to be as healthy and happy as possible.

But first, we’re sure you’ll want to know, what exactly is ‘Hygge’?!

What is Hygge?

To first understand what Hygge is, we have to understand a bit more about the culture of where it comes from, Denmark. Even though Denmark is a country with typically gloomy weather and short hours of daylight, it is a land well known to be the home of the happiest people in the world.

Now to explain how ‘Hygge’ fits into all of this. Hygge is at the core of Danish culture. It means creating a nice, warm atmosphere, and enjoying the good things in life with good people around you. Embracing Hygge involves being around friends and family, appreciating the moment, eating and drinking lovely food, and more. And although it may sound like a slightly strange word, in 2016 Hygge was ranked by several sources as being one of the ‘words of the year’! A word that ultimately reflects the very essence of wellbeing and happiness and the way the Danish people choose to look at life.

How can I apply Hygge to parenting?

When looking at what we, as parents, can learn from Hygge and this Danish view on life, it ultimately helps us teach our children some incredibly important skills that will benefit them throughout their entire lives. For example, the ability to thrive in social situations, foster positive emotions and have a broader way of thinking. After all, it’s well known that positivity breeds positivity and that instilling this during childhood helps with overall growth and development.

When thinking about small but effective ways to use Hygge to help your preschool child’s development, there are some simple points you can remember when interacting with them:

Presence: Demonstrate the importance of presence to your child, by being present with them! Try to take some steps to integrate this into daily life, like turning off your phone, or taking a keen interest in the television show they’re watching, or the book they’re reading. Your child will certainly pick up on this keen interest you are showing them, and will likely reflect it to you. And as they grow, they will learn to reflect it to others too!

Harmony: Try to emphasise the importance of being in harmony with others when you’re around your child. Calm them if they are showing signs of needing to compete with others. Children will often feel the need to compete, but help them develop a healthy sense of self-worth and highlight that they are already enough!

Gratitude: Gratitude is one of the most important lessons you can teach your child. A lesson that will serve them well in every situation they find themselves in throughout life. Put this into practice by encouraging them to always say please and thank you, and to think about being grateful for what they have in life.

Pleasure: Nutrition is a very significant part of your child’s life, but it’s also necessary to help them understand that it’s absolutely fine to indulge in certain small pleasures, like enjoying the occasional cookie, cake, or piece of candy. After all, teaching your child to be completely restrictive is not good for their development.

Truce: Although children will naturally engage in drama as they are at a stage of development where it’s very normal to bicker over small things, it’s good to introduce them early on to the fact that drama can be very unnecessary. For example, if you see them having a little tiff with a friend over something small, gently help them see why getting along with their peers is always a better solution.

Shelter: The home should always feel like a safe haven, especially for little children as they grow. Try to make their home a peaceful space where they can learn valuable lessons in an environment where they feel secure, as this allows them to develop in the healthiest way possible.

Top Tip: If you would like to learn more about Hygge in relation to creating better levels of wellbeing for your family, read Meik Wiking’s book, The Little Book of Hygge.

Hygge isn’t just hearsay, it’s based on scientific research centres such as The Happiness Research Institute, which have studied the causes and effects of human happiness and quality of life around the world. Suffice it to say, the conclusion is that Denmark is definitely doing something right!

What can I learn from Hygge about parenting my child?

Hygge, a Danish concept focused on coziness, comfort, and well-being, offers several principles that can be applied to parenting.