According to scientific research, humans tend to dwell more on negative thoughts. Parents find it difficult to hear their children express negative thoughts despite the scientific evidence, just as much as being able to figure out how to promote positive attitudes.
No parent wants to see their son or daughter wallow in negative thoughts such as sadness, self-doubt, or anger.
When you dig deeper, you find that fear, shame, or doubt drives these thoughts. And in the end, a negative attitude shapes a child’s view of themselves and the world. That places a significant responsibility on parents.
Can parents foster positive attitudes in children through simple habits? Yes, and these tips can help:
- Cultivate a reading habit in your children. One of the best habits you can develop in your children is to read. Set up a small library in their bedroom and encourage them to read each day. If they don’t have an affinity for reading, they can read short stories or share the reading experience with older siblings. An aim is to strengthen their ability to pay attention and the breadth of vocabulary and concepts. These skills help the children build self-confidence and help them mature for life as adults.
- Teach them the habit of respect. Teach your children to treat others with empathy and kindness. Respect could include not abusing others in verbal or physical ways. It is better to be friendly and respectful, even if angry. Treat people and the environment with respect, and you’ll get back their kind attitude as well as their love and affection.
- Cultivate cleanliness. When a child learns simple cleaning habits like brushing their teeth twice a day, taking a shower in the morning, or cleaning their room, they begin to value cleanliness. This attitude translates into other areas of life as they grow and mature into adults.
- Teach them to stay active. Physically active children have better academic and life achievements. Encourage your son or daughter to walk around the neighborhood and use their muscles to develop healthy habits. If you begin with a walk, they’ll be more eager to walk once they learn the routine. Active children also rarely develop obesity or experience sleep issues. So this simple habit early on can significantly impact your child’s life.
- Show them the value of remaining positive. Children find it easy to feel down when things don’t go their way. A child who learns to be resilient and optimistic is more likely to have a successful adult life. Positive thinking helps a child build a healthy sense of self, which translates to a happy, fulfilling life.
- Help them form a habit of gratitude. When your child learns to express gratitude for the minor things, they’ll appreciate life in general. Gratitude helps them feel fulfilled and satisfied in life, making them happier. Gratitude also enhances self-esteem, which keeps our children from falling into stress, increased anxiety and depression. Teach your children to be thankful for the things they have and the people they love. Help them realize that there’s always someone out there with less regardless of what they have.
- Teach them the value of family togetherness. Use many examples to show your children the essence of the family unit. Teach them that a family is a set of living beings and the people and things that matter most in life. Take them out for dinners, trips, and visits to show them how important it is to spend time together. Use this opportunity to teach your children about love for the family.
- Remind them always to be honest. You can’t expect your children to always be honest, especially if they are afraid of getting shamed or ridiculed. But as parents, you can help them learn to be frank by teaching them how honesty is vital to life. When children learn this principle at an early age, they usually grow into honest adults.
When parents learn and practice good habits, they foster happier children. Parents will see the fruits of these habits through the positive outcomes that stem from childhood development.
All these simple habits add up to a happier life, and they’re more straightforward than you think. Take the time to engage with your child and teach them these habits.
They won’t remember everything, but they will recognize some of it, which is still great. It may not seem like a big deal now with all the other responsibilities you have in your life, but it can make a world of difference in the long run to promote positive attitudes in children.
