Helping Your Student Maintain A Positive Attitude

by Gwen Marshall, SPS UniteNews Contributing Writer

Springfield, MO— As adults, we have learned that negative thinking is like a wall that closes us in, and keeps us from achieving our goals. It is the same way for our students, negative attitudes can hold them back from their true potential in the areas of learning, growing, and gaining joy and happiness.

Research has shown that positive thinking has many benefits that contribute to a person’s mental, physical, and emotional health. Here is how it works according to Pearson Education, Inc.: Positivity releases serotonin and dopamine also known as the happiness and feel-good hormones, into your brain. At the same time, it reduces the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, in your brain, which in turn leads to improved memory, learning, creative thinking, and problem-solving.

Positive thinkers become positive people who have faith in themselves and their ability to overcome challenges. They expect things to turn out well and view setbacks as temporary. Your next question might be how can I help my child maintain a positive attitude? Well, here are a few recommendations for you to consider:

• The first important step in helping your student maintain a positive attitude starts with you the parent or guardian: If your child sees you modeling positive thinking they are more likely to want to imitate your actions. Show them the successful outcomes of changing the way they think from negative to positive.

• Help your student visualize positive outcomes from all situa- tions: Ask them how it will feel to accomplish their goal, what will the reward be, what is success and why does it matter? These questions can help your student have a positive outlook.

• Eliminate negative talk: When you hear your child say I can’t do it? Bring that negative statement to their attention and ask questions like. Why can’t you do it? How can I help? What do you need to be able to do it? Show your child that you are in this together.

• Reverse the negative attitudes: As you bring your child’s negative words and thoughts to their attention, make sure you’re encouraging them to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

• Be your student’s greatest fan: Make your child aware of his or her unique strengths and weaknesses. In turn, your student can begin thinking positively, developing self-esteem, and embracing their own identity. Try some reward systems that will encourage and motivate your child to keep going when they encounter setbacks. Encourage your child to be grateful, smile more, and visualize themselves reaching their goals.

Change your thoughts and you change the world.

—Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Coming Events: April 21, 2023 Professional Learning Day (Students will be out of class)