There is a lot of focus right now on global events that are negatively affecting us. It’s easy to make way for these detractors because they are put in front of us through social media, news sources, and conversations with colleagues and friends.

For the sake of our kids and for maintaining positive well-being for all, let’s focus on reframing our thinking and language to a more optimistic outlook. The language we use and the way we approach stressful situations have a huge impact on how children think about themselves. We can model ways to use optimism to work through difficult situations, such as difficulty sleeping, feeling out of control, and making hard decisions. The Moshi app helps to reinforce an optimistic view through its characters and stories, perfect for children and adults. 

Here are some tips for teaching kids (and yourself) to have a positive and optimistic outlook:

For Parents:

MINDSET – 

Instead of thinking:  My kid won’t go to sleep at night. 

Try: I can model calming down and set a routine for bedtime.

Instead of thinking: My child throws a tantrum every night before bed

Try: I need to introduce my child to different ways to calm down.

LANGUAGE – 

Instead of saying: You need to calm down right now.

Try: Breathe and focus on your body. 

Instead of saying: It’s time for sleeping. Go to bed and don’t get up

Try: Let’s try out a few things that may help you sleep better at night.

For Educators: 

MINDSET – 

Instead of thinking: My students have a hard time staying calm during transitions, 

Try: During transitions, my students need support with remaining calm and I have a few ideas that may help. 

Instead of thinking: The volume in the classroom keeps getting louder and louder when the kids are working and I can’t take it. 

Try: The students could benefit from something that helps them self-monitor their voices during work time. 

LANGUAGE – 

Instead of saying: Everyone be quiet and settle down.

Try: We are going to learn strategies for calming ourselves down. Everyone is different so as we learn them, notice what feels best for your brain and body.

Instead of saying: Clara and Joe are focusing on their work. Everyone else should follow their lead. 

Try: Remember some of the strategies we learned for refocusing. Which one will you choose right now? If you need support, raise your hand so we can work on this together.

Allison Henry