How to Raise an Optimistic Child

Developing an environment that promotes happy and healthy children is every want for parents, and it’s important that you’re able to explore these wants and needs for your child in order to build a positive space. Optimism is critical for a child’s progression in not just school, but in life events, their own confidence and their skills.

To build an environment that is happy for your child, here are some tips you can explore that this prep school in Surrey recommends.

Identify the good things

The biggest thing to remember is that there’s always something good to find within a day, experience, even trying food for the first time. For the most part, your child is experiencing things for the first time in their lives, and that should be something to celebrate even if it looks like it’s going wrong. 

Point out the best things in your child’s day to make them feel motivated about the next outcome. If they’re aware of these things, they feel like they’re able to identify other times where they’re having fun, embrace the positivity around them and feel happier to explore new things.

Mix up your child’s playing activities

Falling to the same things time and time again, unless your child expresses a desire to play a specific game or activity, can make them feel attuned to a very standard routine. This may make your child feel bored or less enthused about what they want to do or fall into the same habits. 

Mixing it up each week will keep your child on their toes and make them feel more excited about what they could be getting up to each week. Try creative play one week, and then explore a new board game or puzzle the following week.

Shape pessimism into opportunities

There’s going to be a day where your child comes home from school looking very upset. They might have had a falling out at school with a friend, or a teacher told them off, they didn’t do very well in a test, or they have been picked on. Whatever the reason, they will definitely be feeling down about it, which is an opportunity for you to change the narrative.

Did your child stand up for themselves, for instance? Or did they try their very hardest in the school test? These conversations can give them the confidence to return to that same situation with a better frame of mind.