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The Facts about Optimism.
Did you know that...

Optimism is defined as the skill of seeing the positive aspects of a situation - the belief that things can change for the better and that one can control the direction of one's own life.
Optimism is a skill that all children can learn.
Optimism helps children solve problems, set goals, build confidence and find ways around obstacles.
The more optimism is practiced the easier it becomes.
Optimism leads to greater happiness and well-being.
Parents and teachers can help children learn the skills of optimism.
Children who are optimistic:

- Have greater motivation, greater resilience, more positive moods, higher achievement and a greater sense of control
- Perform better in school
- Have better overall physical health
- Have better relationships.
Children who are pessimistic may:

- Be more likely to become depressed
- Be more likely to experience anxiety
- Be underachievers
- Not do as well in school
- Be at higher risk for a variety of other negative outcomes.

Source: Reivich, K., J.E. Gillham, T.M. Chaplin, & M.E.P. Seligman, from "Helplessness to Optimism: The Role of Resilience in Treating and Preventing Depression in Youth" (2005) in S. Goldstein & R.B. Brooks (Eds.), Handbook of Resilience in Children (pp 223-237). New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.