Negative thoughts are not pretty, fun, or productive.  They can cause a lot of anguish and fear.  It can stop kids from trying new things, believing in themselves, making friends, doing well in school, and much more !  Here are six strategies to help kids through their negative thoughts and boss back their negative brain, so they can see things as they are rather than how they feel in the moment.

This is a teacher-led class.  My intention is for students to feel at ease, comfortable, and willing to participate in an open discussion.  Students will be encouraged to participate through questions and written activities.

THIS CLASS IS FOR KIDS WHO :

- Underestimate his/her strengths; is overly self-critical or perfectionistic ?

- Expects the worst in a situation ; gives up, melts down or quits in the face of frustration.

- Is afraid to try new things because he or she doesn’t want to risk failure .

- Sees the problem and flaws in every situation instead of the possibilities or the positives .


WHAT YOUR STUDENT WILL LEARN :

- Addressing distorted thinking ( being too hard on yourself, dealing with disappointment and    the unexpected).

- Getting specific and narrowing the problem down to it’s source !  Kids will learn to right size the problem, so they can be more accurate about the consequences of that situation.

- Switch Perspective.  Your negative brain has decided that this is an impossible situation, is                        that how you want to see it ?

- Understanding how the process of learning works.  Letting kids know that concepts are hard at first, that they have not mastered them yet ( not that it is a now or never endeavor ).
It’s not about Presto !  It’s about effort.

- Focus on the present competencies rather than future challenges.  This way kids can       approach the unknown with curiosity rather than with fear.  

- Destigmatize mistakes ( link mistakes with courage rather than embarrassment).


                 

*** class content is based on Psychology Today & Positive Psychology articles. 
*** no previous knowledge on this topic is required to take this class.