It's on my bedstand and I've made a mental note to review some of the key sections every 6 months or so.Īs I finished the book I was amazed at how touched I felt with Seligman's conclusion and it was a real motivation for me. So in the end, I think the timing for me in reading this book was perfect for my two older kids (8, 10). I didn't adopt the entire program, not even close, but kept it rather simple with this first go around. I actively brought up principles and behaviors, in subtle ways and sometimes not-so-subtle ways, as I attempted to help shape their mental patterns in dealing with problem scenarios. So, that being said, I felt confident in the "toolbox" from the book as I worked through the assessments (I typed up the assessments into Google docs, message me if you want the link) with my two oldest children. One of the great benefits of the material in this book is the breadth of ages and personality/learning styles that it targets (IMO). I've used what I've learned so much, and not just with my kids, but with myself as well. I think his critique of the term "optimism" is well-founded and that we really can affect our kids/youth, along with ourselves, to be more actively engaged in pursuing positive outcomes and avoiding depressionistic cycles through deliberate and consistent cognitive thinking patterns.Īs a parent, I believe this book to be darn-near invaluable. I loved Sligman's perspective, the informative research, the detailed practices, methodology and the curriculum he and his team crafted. Given that it's been several months since my initial reading and I've had time to really think about the overall book, it's time to just spit out my thoughts. Second, I've avoided writing a review because I've felt it to be a daunting task. I wanted to examine my own behavior, give my kids the assessment, and then observe and implement some simple practices outlined in the book. First, because I wanted to try out what I learned. I've avoided writing my review on this for a couple of reasons. Filled with practical advice and written in clear, helpful language, this book is an invaluable resource for caregivers who want to open up this world for their children. world of optimists is a bigger world, a world of more possibilities, says Seligman. Learning the skills of optimism not only reduces the risk of depression but boosts school performance, improves physical health, and provides children with the self-reliance they need as they approach the teenage years and beyond. The Optimistic Child offers parents and teachers the tools developed in this study to teach children of all ages life skills that transform helplessness into mastery and bolster self-esteem. His findings were revolutionary, proving that children can be against depression by being taught how to challenge their pessimistic thoughts. Seligman began the Penn Depression Prevention Project, the first long term study aimed at 8 to 12 year olds. Despite the increased focus on self-esteem over the past three decades, depression in children has continued to grow, now affecting a quarter of all kids today.
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