ourselves or someone else. By following these three steps we can allow ourselves to respond to stressful situations effectively instead of just simply reacting. STEP ONE – stop and catch your thoughts STEP TWO – take three deep breathes STEP THREE – “Re-think” the situation by asking yourself – how else can I think about this? Tips for helping children 3 years and older develop thinking skills Help your children talk about their thoughts Show empathy for your children’s thoughts and feelings Gently change your children’s negative thinking – ‘Always’ thinking like “Jack always wants to play with someone else” can be turned around by pointing out times your child played with Jack Play thinking games together Encourage children to imagine another way to do something Read or tell children stories how others overcome obstacles, get along with others or turn a difficult situation around BUILDING CONFIDENCE We start to develop confidence in our ability to make things happen very early in life. When we have confidence in our abilities, it helps us to respond to problems with resilience. Helping children gain confidence is best done in a caring relationship and is an important part of self-regulation. Tips for building your children’s confidence Encourage your children to keep on trying even when the task is hard or frustrating Show your children that “Mistakes are OK” Be a “Strengths Detective” – pointing out your children’s strengths is a much better confidence-builder than focusing on their limitations Give your children lots of time to just play
Set children up for success Offer choices – simple choices build children’s confidence by giving them the chance to make decisions and have some control Help your children be assertive Teach your children way to solve problems and resolve conflicts Read or tell children stories DEVELOPING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK When children observe parents modelling a positive outlook, it is more likely they will develop a positive outlook too. A positive outlook can change a challenging situation into a manageable one by making us feel better and building hope. It also protects us from depression and poor health. Tips for helping children develop a positive outlook See the positives – you can help your children bounce back from disappointment by teaching them to look for the positives in their daily life Express gratitude and appreciation for what you have big or small – try sharing stories with each other about the simple pleasures of your day or create a family ”gratitude book” together by gluing pictures or drawing things you are grateful for Look for beauty in nature – point out a fragrant flower, the feel of a warm breeze or a beautiful sunset. A walk in nature or visit to the park is a great way for children to have positive family time and develop appreciation and respect for their natural world. Have a little laugh – humour helps brighten our outlook and is a natural way to connect with others. Children love being silly. Nurture your spirituality to find meaning in things that happen – this can help us gain a sense of hope during difficult times. Develop spirituality in family life by spending time in nature, schedule quiet time together, participate in a faith group, create something together, help others in need