Positive thinking is a way of looking at situations in a constructive way. It is an incredibly powerful tool
that helps you cope with life’s disappointments without any side effects like anxiety, depression, and
anger.
Can Children Understand Positive Thinking?
Yes, at the age of 5, children are able to connect emotion to situations and this ability develops as they
age. At this age, children are able to identify what scenarios make them happy and which do not. During
a research done by Jacksonville University, where children of ages 5 to ten years were given the task of
associating a positive or negative thought with the event of a new teacher, it was found that children as
young as 5 years old can understand the concept of associating positive emotions to a situation.
What does this mean for parents?
It means that the ability to have an optimistic outlook on life is developed at an early age and gets
refined as we grow. This is why it is important more than ever that parents develop the habit of positive
thinking in kids from an early age. It is also found that children who gain the ability of positive thinking
early in life are less prone to depression as adults because they are better capable of handling life’s
many disappointments. This proves that positive thinking can make a child more resilient and less prone
to easily giving up on slight setbacks.
There are several ways parents can foster positive thinking in their kids and help them become
optimistic adults. One of those ways is modelling the behaviour themselves. If the parents demonstrate
positive thinking in their daily lives, it will be easier for the kid to follow it and understand it. The
children love to mimic and any behaviour demonstrated by a parent becomes part of their personality.
The second way of encouraging positive thinking is by acknowledging the negative emotions. After a
setback, a failure or even an injury, parents should give appropriate attention to the negative emotion
associated with the situation before brainstorming with the kid on ways to make the best of the
situation. This way, the kid will feel validated and heard which is just as essential for healthy emotional
growth.
Another way of teaching your kids positive thinking is with the help of literature and stories that convey
such messages. One of those books is Grumpy Gorilla and Happy Hippo by Scott Harrison. The book is
written in verse for children 2 to 8 years old and tells the story of a Grumpy Gorilla who learned some
important lessons from his friend Hippo. The book encourages children on healthy habits like exercise,
eating healthy and the power of positive thinking. It’s a beautifully illustrated book that is attractive to
all children and makes for a fun read.
In summary, positive thinking and an optimistic approach is not just an accessory but an important and
powerful tool in life to overcome life’s hurdles without making yourself miserable. People with a positive
outlook are more confident and hardworking because they believe that every thought can make or
break our emotional well-being.