Finding Joy – One Bead at a Time

At the Learning Hub, we believe that emotional learning is just as important as academic learning and our recent holiday bead-making workshop captured that truth perfectly.

The theme for the day was JOY.

Each child received a small selection of colourful beads, including one special bead marked “JOY.” With these, they were invited to create something personal… a bracelet, a necklace, or a keepsake to take home while learning about what joy really means and how it shapes our resilience.

As the beads clicked together, conversations began to flow.
“What makes you feel joyful?” one facilitator asked.
“Playing soccer with my friends,” said one child.

We spoke about how joy isn’t only about being happy… it’s something deeper. It’s the ability to notice small moments of goodness, even when life feels hard. It’s gratitude, playfulness, and hope all mixed into one.

The children learned that joy helps us bounce back. When we can find moments of happiness in the little things (a friend’s laughter, a sunny afternoon, a shared meal) we become stronger inside. We learn to face challenges with courage and curiosity instead of fear.

And that’s exactly what we want for every learner at the Hub: the ability to adapt, grow, and see beauty even in difficult circumstances.

By the end of the session, the tables were covered in bright, joyful patterns… bracelets, keychains, and necklaces, each one unique. But what mattered most wasn’t what they made it was what they learned.

One of our teachers summed it up perfectly:

“Joy gives children a sense of agency. When they realise they can choose to notice good things, it changes how they face the world.”

Workshops like these might seem small, but they build emotional literacy, empathy, and resilience… qualities that will serve our learners for life.

✨ If you’d like to sponsor future creative and emotional development workshops, or contribute art and craft supplies, please get in touch. Your support helps us keep joy alive — one bead at a time.