Positive thinking is a mental attitude that perceives situations in a constructive way. It does not mean ignoring the negative. Rather, a positive thinker acknowledges a situation and looks at it productively. We all have negative thoughts, we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. “When we have negative thoughts it is our choice to dwell on the thought or transmute it to a positive one.”

Ways to Help Kids Think Positive

• Create a positive environment in your home.
  • Just smiling and laughing can help shift your brain chemistry and make you feel good.
• Provide your children with plenty of affection.
  • Words, hugs, kisses, high fives and pats on the back.
• Help your children develop hobbies they are good at.
  • This will increase your child’s confidence.
• Teach kids to notice negative thoughts.
  • Teaching a child to take a positive approach requires helping them understand what negative thoughts are. Help them understand what they are feeling and reflect as to why they are feeling this way.
• Speak Positively
  • Saying things out loud amplifies positive thoughts, helping us to believe in ourselves and our abilities. (Affirmations)
• Give Thanks (Gratitude)
  • Asking a child to think about the things they enjoy and the activities they like encourages appreciation, which naturally creates a positive attitude.
• Surround them with positive people.
  • Explain to them that they are a product of the people they spend the most time with, and to try to associate with other people who also think positive.
• Ignore Some Bad Moods
  • Don’t ignore your child when he or she is in a bad mood. Ignore the mood. When you don’t react to your child’s negativity, you take one step forward in extinguishing negative behaviors. An attitude that conveys acceptance of your child, negative temperament and all, will keep your relationship intact and allow you to keep influencing positive development.