From engagement to embedding: scaling social-emotional learning in Flemish primary schools

Issue/problem

Promoting children’s mental well-being in schools is a public health priority, yet evidence-based Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programmes struggle achieving real-world impact. Large programmes work under research conditions but are seldom implemented as designed. Flanders (Belgium) responded with a two-layered strategy: a kernel-based year-round practice, supported by an annual gamified programme to engage schools at scale.

Description of the practice

‘Happy Snacks’ are short, standalone classroom activities targeting specific SEL competencies aligned with the Flemish Well-being Triangle. They require no training and fit easily into daily routines. ‘Expedition Happiness’ serves as the implementation engine: a free annual online game for primary classes in which pupils discover ‘superpowers’ (SEL skills) through youth influencer videos, followed by a class activity. This entry point motivates teachers and acts as a gateway to year-round practice.

Results

The most recent edition of Expedition Happiness reached 1.500 schools and 55.000 pupils across Flanders. Teacher-reported outcomes: 99% noted improved classroom atmosphere; 98% observed increased SEL knowledge; 95% reported better pupil collaboration; 83% reported reduced bullying; 85% noted stronger team collaboration on well-being; 72% indicated support for school-wide SEL policy development; 90% confirmed alignment with curriculum goals.

Lessons

Expedition Happiness demonstrates that an engaging programme can deliver direct SEL impact while also acting as an implementation engine for sustained year-round practice. The kernel approach -small, flexible, daily- proves more feasible than large, rigid programmes. Influencers and game-based design boost engagement and reduce teacher hesitancy. Public-private financing enables scale. This transferable model offers a replicable blueprint for European countries seeking sustainable, low-barrier approaches to children’s mental well-being.

Key messages

• A gamified annual programme (‘Expedition Happiness’) successfully draws schools into a kernel-based SEL approach, reaching 1,500 schools and 55,000 pupils in one edition.

• Small, daily social-emotional learning (SEL) activities (‘Happy Snacks’) offer a scalable, low-barrier alternative to large programmes that fail in real-world school implementation.