How to Help Your Kids Develop Positive Attitude
You must have heard that laughter makes you live longer. The same is true for positivity which is so close to such categories as laughter and happiness. A positive mental attitude is a style of life. It determines everything. Take, for example, a neutral nature scenery spotted on video. First, turn on a sad or frightening tune in the background, and you`ll have a scene from a thriller. Then switch a tune to a cheerful one, and the scenery is no more decoration for a horror scene, but rather a feel-good movie. See, our inner attitude towards life is the very tune responsible for the type of life we live in.
Why to Focus on Positive Attitude?
The previous metaphor partially explains the importance of positive attitude. It has many more advantages. The study by Stanford University, published in the Psychological Science journal claims that a positive attitude can have an impact on one’s learning abilities to a greater extent than IQ level does.
To make such conclusions, researchers have conducted an experiment inviting 240 kids aged from 7 to 10 to participate. They revealed that being positive increases kids` level of math comprehension. Also, they had their memory boosted, problem-solving abilities and other skills improved.
Scientists explain it by the fact that a positive mental attitude towards a subject field makes children curious about it. And that triggers the desire to practice more.
The benefits of positive attitude are much more than just academic achievements. It largely determines the quality of our life by maintaining good mental health. According to Persevering with Positivity and Purpose research, a positive attitude is a useful tool for dealing with depression.
To sum it up, good thoughts for kids can:
- Improve their learning abilities;
- Enhance memory;
- Develop mindfulness;
- Maintain mental health;
- Help to get along with other people, etc.
What Are the Obstacles to Positive Attitude?
Children learn how to be a positive thinker through their environment. You should be very careful when choosing the kindergarten, school, and other educational establishments for your child. A positive, friendly atmosphere is all that’s needed for building a positive life attitude. Yet, no less important is the atmosphere at home. Check the list beneath and think about whether there are such obstacles in your family.
- Parents impose too many restrictions on their kids;
- Adults are often complaining about their life;
- Lack of bond between parents and kids;
- Relationships between family members are unhealthy;
- Parents are too demanding and rules-oriented;
- No place for humor;
- Kids are suffering from psychological issues (fears, depression, mood changes, etc.).
How to Be a Positive Thinker?
What is positive attitude in reality? What do parents do help their kids their kids develop it?
Pay Attention to Awe Moments
Unfortunately, it’s common to our human nature to focus on bad negative events which can take up the whole space in our brains. But you also have to cherish good thoughts for kids. You can pay special attention to pleasant events and discuss them with children. It’d be better to create an Awe Moments Journal to write down all the brilliant moments your kid has been experiencing. That makes him focus on the positive sides of daily events.
Build Virtues in Children
People who respect and nourish virtues already have a positive mental attitude inbuilt into such virtues. Thus, you have to teach your child to be kind, brave, grateful, honest, etc. The best way to do it is to be a role model example.
Share Positivity
Have fun with your kids regularly. Share jokes, hug your little one, and even prank each other. You can also do good deeds for other people. Also, seek funny moments that can become your family story to remember and recall occasionally.
Broad Horizons
One has to stir his mind to obtain new feelings. An excellent way to do it is to try out something new. That will definitely bring new emotions and perhaps new friends or opportunities. Make a rule to try something new each month and involve your child in it. By the way, new hobbies can reduce disobedience in strong-willed kids, shifting their energy to useful things.
Be an Example of Optimism
You can do your best following the advice on being a positive thinker, but you can never succeed if you don’t have a positive attitude. Boys and girls look up to their parents and copy their behavior. It turns out that pessimistic moms and dads are unlikely to raise an optimistic kid.
Overcome Obstacles Together
Little boys and girls can perceive some life hardships as something catastrophic. Be attentive, and don`t let the family’s adverse events remain undiscussed. Seek professional help to make it right, especially if you have to talk about death, divorce, or diseases. Besides, your child could take some ordinary events as something horrible and irreparable.
A breakup with a best friend. If your child is too concerned about it, help him cope. Try to manage his negative emotions such as anger or fear.
Allow Different Options
Both children and adults may put all their efforts into achieving one definite goal. It’s a great leadership skill, but what if the goal is their only interest? And how painful it`ll be for them to fail! Teach your little one to concentrate on aims and win. At the same time, give the right to fail or score not as well as one would like to. Such thinking patterns won`t let a kid get too depressed and give up.
Read Positive Literature and Watch Easy-Going Movies
All kinds of literature have benefits. In terms of the importance of a positive attitude, try to provide books that boost your child’s mood and keep it positive. Get to know his preferences or use professional advice on books for children to find the right literature. The same is true for movies. Watch movies or series which have a positive plot.
Final Words
It’s hard to learn to be a positive thinker because bad moods and breakdowns don’t need much effort to be our main feeling. Being positive, in turn, needs lots of inner work and changes in life perspectives. Be persistent and follow the activities described. Take it easy and let positivity be your family lifestyle. If so, you can raise a kid with a positive life perception. Such people have many more chances to live a happy life.
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