Raise an Optimistic Child

People who take the ‘glass half full’ approach to life enjoy better physical and mental health. Here are ten ways that you can encourage optimism in your child.

1. Provide children with realistic challenges that give them opportunities to experience success – whether it’s learning to tie their shoelaces or loading the dishwasher.

2. Resist the temptation to step in when your child is feeling anxious or overwhelmed by a situation. Instead, help them to identify and evaluate alternative ways of dealing with the problem.

3. Help your child persist in the face of obstacles. Learning to handle setbacks is as important as dealing with achievements.

4. Encourage your child to take credit for their achievement rather than downplaying it or putting it down to luck.

5. Acknowledge failures. Expressing negative feelings when things go wrong can help your child to put setbacks in perspective.

6. Be specific and discerning with your praise. Use the opportunity to give your child feedback on what they do well so they can learn to identify their strengths.

7. Involve your child in family decision making. This develops problem-solving skills and builds confidence.

8. Use stories from your own life that show how you got through a difficult situation or succeeded despite an initial setback. Sharing books and films that have an optimistic message can also be helpful.

9. Foster a culture of appropriate praise and respect. This is a powerful way of encouraging healthy self-esteem.

10. Practise what you preach. Children can learn optimism unconsciously by observing people around them and you can be a powerful role model.

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au