Teaching optimism is one of the most important things that parents can do to support their child’s wellbeing.

Raising your child to be optimistic will bring them many benefits in life. For example, optimism will improve your child’s mental health, help them to become more confident and better equip them to overcome challenges.

To help your child become more optimistic, here is some great advice from an independent school in Taunton…

Show them how

If you want your child to be more optimistic, then you will need to set a good example for your child to follow. Avoid negative comments when something goes wrong and instead try to look for the positives. This will not only encourage your child to have an optimistic attitude, but it will also teach them how they can learn from their mistakes.

Encourage resilience

Encourage your child to be more resilient by nurturing a growth mindset. This is a positive way of thinking which will support your child through difficult situations. Children with a growth mindset believe that their abilities will improve over time, which encourages motivation and perseverance.

Give responsibility

Giving your child more responsibility will help them to develop an optimistic outlook. Trust your child to do more tasks alone in order to build up their self-esteem. For example, you could ask your child to help with household chores, such as feeding a pet, doing the recycling or washing the car. These simple tasks will increase their feelings of competency.

Try new things

Help your child to be more ‘open-minded’ by taking them out of their comfort zone. This will allow them to experience uncomfortable feelings in a safe environment. Start with something small like trying new food or visiting a new park. New experiences will help your child to learn and encourage independence.

Practice gratitude

Encourage your child to look for all of the positives in their life. Practising daily gratitude is such an effective technique for improving mental health and maintaining an optimistic attitude. A simple way for your child to practise gratitude is by writing down a few things they are thankful for in a journal each day.

Be supportive

Learn about your child’s hobbies and interests and always encourage their hopes and dreams. Discuss what steps they need to take in order to reach their goals and reassure your child that you will always be there to support them.

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