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Children who are emotionally resilient, those who are optimistic, are more likely to bounce back when faced with hardship or difficulty such as parents arguing or separating, the death of someone close or personal injury.

How do children develop optimism?

Optimistic parents tend to have optimistic children. Pessimistic parents tend to raise pessimistic children.

Children learn to be optimistic or pessimistic from observing how their parents respond to and explain the things that happen to them.

Why is optimism important?

Optimism is a life skill. When used with social skills it helps children face new challenges and the stresses of growing up.

Experts say that compared with pessimists, optimist are less likely to get depresses, are better achievers and physically or mentally healthier.

Positive thinking can build resilience that lasts a lifetime. It equips children to tackle problems and persist when things get tough.

When one solution doesn’t work, optimistic people are more likely to try something else rather than give up.

Pessimism

Pessimistic children think failure is permanent. They see good things as being temporary and outside of their experience.

Pessimistic children are at risk of depression, underachieving and poor heath.

What parents can do to help

• challenge your own pessimistic assumptions and develop a more optimistic way of thinking
• teach your child social skills like problem solving, assertiveness, negotiation, decision-making and ways to build support
• teach your child that they can shape their own future – that they can make a difference
• provide your child with opportunities to achieve success
• resolve and reduce conflicts at home
• let your child know you value them and the effort they put in