He puts his head down and leaves as quickly as possible. When he comes off the pitch, Patrick is upset. Or, the Vikings failed to stay firm defensively and were punished for not taking their chances.ĭespite both being equally involved in the same incident, Olly and Patrick choose different ways of interpreting the experience. The team has just lost a game 1-0 due to a defensive error by Olly and Patrick.įor the detached pundit, there are lots of different ways of interpreting this result, that’s why sports programmes usually have a panel of experts rather than just one! The Vikings were unlucky – they had possession for most of the game and narrowly missed going two goals up in the first half. Imagine two children (let’s call them Optimistic Olly and Pessimistic Patrick) who both play soccer for the local under 11s team (the Variable Vikings). ![]() Optimism is not about temperament, it is a habit of thinking that relates to how we interpret events. Pessimism, on the other hand, leads to helplessness and withdrawal – it doesn’t matter what I do, it won’t work, so there is no point in trying. Children who practise optimistic thinking are more resilient, they are less likely to give up in the face of challenge and they tend to interpret experiences in a way that gives them a sense of control and confidence. Go here to check it out.When it comes to thought processes, one of the most important habits of mind that children can develop is optimism. With over 100 playful ideas for introducing positive character traits for children, it is a handy resource for creating positivity in the home. If you liked this activity, you may enjoy my ebook Playing with Purpose: Character Building Made Fun. And some more ideas about raising optimistic children here from Crafting Connections.Īre you a person who sees a glass half full? How are you helping your children to become optimistic, positive people? Here are some more thoughts about raising a happy child from Kids Yoga Stories. If we adults want to teach kids to be optimistic, well, we better show a bit of optimism ourselves. It was a simple activity, but one that I have used to remind them about having a positive attitude on more than one occasion since.Īnd – of equal importance – it reminded me just how much my own attitude is affecting the development of my kids, as well as our days together. When we see the possibilities and appreciate what we have, we are being optimistic. They both filled up half a glass, and we discussed if they were “half empty” or “half full.” We talked about how the amount of water is really the same, but people can focus on what is missing or what is there. I’m focusing on what I *rather* be doing, or what I *rather* other people be doing, instead of cherishing what I have right in front of me and trying to make the best of it.Īfter a while of considering this, I decided to share the concept of optimism with my boys by having them fill up a cup with water. ![]() One day I was listening to a bit of complaining (both other voices and the one inside my head) and it hit me: right now I’m being a person who sees the glass half empty. Isn’t having a “good day” or a “bad day” all dependent on attitude?
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