09 Nov How positive psychology can help manage stress
Mary-Lynn Lim, our resident Positive Psychology Practitioner & Coach shares how Positive Psychology can help children overcome stress and build perseverance.
Children grow up experiencing many changes throughout their childhood and adolescence that may have an impact on their mental health. Elementary school children (aged between 8 to 12 years old) are particularly susceptible; this is the time when they start to experience significant changes in their cognitive and social functioning, all while navigating academic challenges.
On stress and perseverance
Many students find studying to prepare for examinations especially hectic and stressful, leaving them anxious, unmotivated and causing them to lose focus. While trying to cope with their studies, children react to stress and anxiety through exhibiting negative emotions and behaviours, which affect their overall well-being.
According to Paul Tough, the author of the book, “How Children Succeed”, the academic success of every child goes beyond possessing inborn intelligence and academic competency. Possessing character traits such as grit and resilience have a greater impact on helping children cope and ultimately succeed.
It is important to help children learn and understand what it takes to persevere. We can set them an example by reacting positively to challenging tasks, or by adopting a positive attitude in difficult times.
What is positive psychology?
Positive psychology is the science and practice of improving one’s well-being through the study of human thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It focuses on helping individuals flourish and live their best lives. It is strengths and solutions-focused by building individuals’ inner strengths and making them more aware of their capabilities and the positivity that’s around them.
Bringing the science of positive psychology to children will increase their overall well-being and socio-emotional development. Firstly, it helps children to manage negative emotions and low moods; it also enables them to establish self-identity through learning how to identify, recognize, and use their strengths, helping them to boost their self-esteem and increasing their confidence.
Additionally, as children learn to adopt a growth mindset that fosters positive learning, they potentially become more optimistic, motivated, and even resilient, which in turn, enhances their academic achievements.
Ultimately, the goal goes beyond helping children to succeed academically – the hope is also for them to prosper as individuals, no matter their grades or what they choose to do in life.
The 5Ps of positive psychology
With a critical focus on improving children’s well-being and mental health, a typical positive psychology coaching and intervention program aims to cultivate positive learning by incorporating the 5Ps:
1) Positive Thinking
- Creating self-awareness
– Discovering your strengths and learning how to use them
- Adopting a growth mindset
– Reframing, believing you can, goal setting
2) Positive Emotions
- How to develop and sharpen socio-emotional skills
- Building resilience
3) Positive Behaviour
- Cultivating positive habits
4) Positive Engagement
- Being in the flow
- Learning with a sense of purpose and meaning
- Connecting with others
5) Positive Accomplishment
- True Attainment – Integrating 4Ps
As children are confronted with challenges that require them to cope with increasing demands, changes, and stress, they need to be able to bounce back and stay focused on their goals.
There is power in believing we can. It all begins with the way we think, which can affect the way we feel and act. With consistent effort, children can develop resilience, become more engaged in their learning, and unlock their potential through maximizing their strengths. These methods would help your child flourish as individuals in all aspects of their life, enabling them to become well-rounded, successful, and happy adults.
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