The Optimistic Child. A Revolutionary Approach to Raising Resilient Children by Martin Seligman
This classic book, first published in 1995, is by Martin Seligman, who is considered the founder of positive psychology. It outlines the school-based programme he developed to teach optimism and resilience in children, and the research behind it. The book goes on to explain to parents how to teach and role-model an optimistic explanatory style as well as social skills and helpful thought processes for dealing with difficulties. Seligman points out that optimism is not the same as ‘positive thinking,’ and that for children to learn mastery, they need to experience actual results of their efforts, rather than receiving empty praise.
This book was written to combat depression, at a time when that was the world’s fastest-growing mental health issue. Now, anxiety is growing faster, but the skills taught here are still relevant for raising healthy children.
