Linking Involvement, Wellbeing and Learning

This chapter explores how children’s wellbeing and involvement are central to deep-level learning. It shows how tuning in to the quality of experiences offers richer insights into learning and development. Drawing on the work of Laevers and Csikszentmihalyi, it introduces key indicators of involvement such as concentration, persistence, creativity and satisfaction, alongside wellbeing as a prerequisite for sustained engagement. Simplified three-point Leuven Involvement and Wellbeing Scales are presented as practical and non-intrusive ways to recognise and measure levels of involvement and wellbeing. By integrating these dimensions into the What, So What, Now What framework, the chapter offers educators a reflective alternative to checklist assessment, deepening professional judgement and capturing what truly matters in children’s learning.