Dear parents and/or guardians…
OPTIMISM MEANS THAT WE DON’T WORRY WHEN WE DON’T NEED TO.
This month’s value is optimism. Helping your children develop an optimistic mindset at a young age can help foster resilience and also put them on a path to improved mental and physical health. Optimism, or “looking on the bright side,” helps children grow into happy, confident adults.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
- Keep a family “Positivity Journal,” or encourage your child to keep their own. Have them write down what they are grateful for, what makes them happy about themselves, and what they like about others.
- Model optimistic behavior including happiness and gratefulness, and don’t overreact to minor inconveniences.
- Try to keep your home a stress-free environment.
- Know the signs of depression and other mood disorders in children. These may include irrational or uncharacteristic anger, social withdrawal, fatigue, pain (usually head or stomach) without a seeming cause, and difficulty focusing. If your child displays these or other symptoms, consult a doctor.