Connections. Feeling rooted gives children a foundation of security. Children need unconditional love from one or both parents and benefit when they have close ties to their extended family, feel part of their school, and help care for pets. Play. Make sure your child's free time isn't too programmed and regimented. Open-ended play, in which children can invent scenarios and solve problems by themselves, helps them discover their talents and use their own resources. Practice. When kids find out what they're good at, they'll want to do it again and again. But sometimes you may have to do some gentle nudging to ensure that your child sticks to an activity and experiences a sense of accomplishment. Mastery. From practice comes mastery. When children achieve a skill -- whether it's learning to tie their shoes, play the piano, or build a birdhouse -- they're further motivated to tackle new challenges. And that leads to a can-do attitude. Recognition. Approval and support from one's parents, teachers, and peers for a job well done reconnect children to the wider world. When kids think what they do affects their family, classmates, and team, they're more likely to exhibit moral behavior and, ultimately, to feel good about themselves.

Most parents would agree that raising happy children is often easier said than done. Are you disciplining them enough? Teaching them the right skills? Katie Hurley, a child psychotherapist and author of 'The Happy Kid Handbook” shares her tips on how to help kids stay happy in a stressful world Watch Julie Banderas talk about Alternative Medicine, Body Mind, Bullying, Childrens Health, Depression, Education, Health Talk, Healthy Living, Mental Health, Originals, and Stress Anxiety.