Positive thinking isn’t just for adults. Even a child can learn to think positively, especially if you help them along the way. Teaching your child to have a an optimistic attitude about life can be challenging. After all, they’re constantly testing their limits and going through all kinds of developmental stages at once. However, teaching your child positive thinking can be one of the best habits you can establish early on in life.

When children are young, they don’t have the capacity to understand complex adult concepts and situations yet. They may not always see things from the most rational perspective either — but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying to explain things in other ways that make sense to them. Instead, share with them examples of people who were able to look at their problems with optimism instead of pessimism and how that strategy has helped them in the long run.

If you don’t start teaching your child positive thinking now, when will you? Follow these simple steps to start instilling optimism into your child today.

How do I change my child’s negative attitude?

Negative attitudes are often caused by a lack of confidence. When your child doesn’t believe in his or her abilities, this can lead to feelings of self-doubt, which can make them more likely to give up. You can help your child build confidence by showing them that you believe in them, even when they don’t feel it themselves. Be encouraging and supportive, and praise them for small achievements. If your child is having trouble with homework or schoolwork, offer to help out, even if it’s only to proofread their work and correct any mistakes. This will show them that you’re willing to put in the time and effort to ensure they get the best possible results.

Another way to encourage positivity is by making sure your child has a safe space where they feel comfortable expressing their emotions and frustrations. A quiet room at home or at a friend’s house is a good place to start. Encourage your child to take time out during the day when they are not being judged by others. Set aside time each weekend to relax and unwind so that they can recharge their batteries and feel renewed again next week. Make sure they have something nice to eat and drink as well as something fun and interesting to look forward to so that they don’t lose interest in their goals.

How to explain positive thinking to a child?

A child’s brain is still developing and is more susceptible to negative influences. Positive thinking can be difficult for a child to understand. It is important to start positive thinking early by encouraging your child’s natural optimism. Encourage your child to see the good in everyone and everything.

There are many ways you can explain positive thinking to children, but one of the most effective is through role-play. You can have your child pretend that they have a magic wand and they can use it to make anything happen in their life. You can also role-play situations that you see your child struggling with and encourage them to use the magic wand they have inside them. When you encourage your child to think positively, they will be more likely to believe that it can actually happen.

Positive affirmations are another great way to teach kids to process difficult times in a healthy way and to encourage your child’s self-esteem.

Take a look at this post about how to make positive affirmations work for you. 

Set an example of positivity

As parents, we have a unique opportunity to set an example for our kids. While other people generally influence how your child thinks and behaves, they also learn a lot from seeing how you respond to life’s challenges. Sure, you may get frustrated and exasperated from time to time, but you also have to show your child that life is a journey, not a destination.

Let your child see you enjoying the journey, rather than focusing on the bumps, bruises, and occasional failures. Kids learn a lot from seeing their parents’ positive outlook and optimism can help your child take a step toward developing their own. Plus, your child may not notice right away, but by looking for the good and being thankful for everything your child will start to adopt a happier outlook on life.

Say it with actions, not words

Actions speak louder than words. Kids will pick up on your tone and body language and use those cues to interpret what you’re saying, so always try to speak and act with a positive, confident, and enthusiastic attitude. If you always seem to be in a super-positive mood, your child will pick up on that and start mimicking that enthusiasm as well.

Kids are very perceptive, and will also notice when you’re irritated or annoyed with them. While you may certainly have your moments where you want to get rid of your “negative energy” and vent, try to spend most of your time with your child showing an upbeat and excited attitude about their life.

Your children will also see how you respond to stressful situations. If they see that you handle the situation calmly and with an open mind, you will be setting the right example for them.

Before reacting to something or making any comments about a situation, think that your children will see that as an example to follow.

Positive thinking is a learned habit.

Celebrate the small victories

If you know that your child tends to have negative emotions over certain situations, try to reward him as soon as he begins to change his perception towards that situation. Remember that great efforts are required to see the positive in something that appears to be bad.

It may take time, but if you keep on praising him and giving him small rewards once he begins to see the positives in something, he will start to love it and look for more of those situations.

Be patient with your child, and try not to give up when he does not respond as you would like. Offer him examples of positives he can associate with that situation, and try to keep the focus on him when he is experiencing a negative thought.

Kids get so much of their confidence and self-esteem from praise and acceptance from their parents. A great way to boost your child’s confidence is to encourage them to keep looking for new opportunities to achieve something. If you notice your child is feeling a bit down about not being able to do something, encourage them to find a way to move forward. It doesn’t have to be the most amazing thing your child could do, just something. Anything. Keep your child in mind that they have so much potential, and that they can achieve so much.

When you keep your child looking for new things, and encouraging them to continue trying, it fills their heart with a lot more positivity.

Gratitude is a virtue that we must foster

Gratitude is a state of being thankful and appreciative of all of the things that you have. It is an attitude that is important to cultivate in order to create a more positive outlook on life.

As a parent, it is important to encourage your children to be grateful for what they have. This can be done by showing your children how to appreciate the small things in their lives. For example, you could show them how to appreciate the view from their window or how to appreciate the feeling of being warm when they step out of the shower. By encouraging your children to be grateful for what they already have, they are more likely to be happier and have a more positive outlook on life.

Positive people should surround your children

Positive people are the best thing you can provide to your children. By surrounding them with positive, caring adults, they can learn to look for the good in themselves and others. They can also develop a healthy self-esteem, which will help them to build confidence in themselves and their abilities as they grow older.

If you have a close friend or family member who is a cheerleader for your child, make sure to reach out to them. Even if you don’t feel like you have the time for a conversation, there are other ways to show your support. You can leave positive comments on Facebook, send your child a handwritten note, or invite them to the cinema.

If the people around your child are negative and critical of their abilities, it can have a negative impact on their self-esteem. Instead, look for mentors who will offer constructive criticism and encouragement. Your child will be more likely to take in what they’re hearing if they trust that it’s coming from someone who cares about them.

Conclusion

Positive thinking doesn’t mean being overconfident or pretending that everything is perfect the way it is now. Sometimes it is ok to have make mistakes or be a negative thinker.

It means looking at the glass half full instead of half empty, finding the good in any situation instead of focusing on the negatives, and seeing the possibilities instead of expecting the worst from yourself or others.

When you have a child, it can be tempting to want to protect them from everything. But this isn’t the best way to raise a young person. It can be tempting to shield them from life’s ups and downs, from the risk of disappointment and from the challenges of dealing with other people. But we think it’s important for children to learn how to deal with these things on their own. There are many ways to do that, and one way is to focus on how to be positive and upbeat.

By using the techniques you’ve learned in this article, you can help your child develop a positive attitude and be better able to handle the ups and downs of life. Help them see that their challenges are opportunities for growth, and that even the most difficult experiences won’t last forever.

Affirmations for Bliss

Affirmations for Bliss is a blog about positive affirmations, meditation and yoga. It’s a place where you can find everything you need to live a happier life. The blog is updated with new articles weekly so you can find inspiration when you need it.