MOOD & MINDSET - SUPPORT FOR PARENTS
Children are natural storytellers — not just in their play, but in how they interpret the world around them. The way a child “tells the story” of a difficult event (“I’m rubbish at this”, “Everyone laughed at me”, “I’ll never get it right”) can shape how they feel and behave. Parents can play a powerful role in reshaping that story into one of strength, learning, and self-belief.
🧠 Why Mindset Matters
Children who develop a positive, flexible mindset are more likely to:
Bounce back from mistakes
Keep trying when things get tough
Feel confident in their abilities
Be open to learning and growing
Helping your child shift their inner voice from self-criticism to self-encouragement builds emotional resilience and a more positive outlook.
🌱 Tips for Supporting a Positive Mindset
🗣️ Model Optimism
Let your child hear how you turn your own struggles around:
“That meeting was hard, but I’m proud I got through it.”
“This didn’t go as planned — I’ll try a different way tomorrow.”
🎯 Focus on Effort Over Outcome
Praise the trying, not just the success:
“I noticed you didn’t give up — that was brave.”
✍️ Create a “Wins Journal”
Write or draw one small success each day: something they tried, learned, or enjoyed.
🔄 Use “Flip Thinking”
Help your child flip a negative thought:
“I got it wrong” → “That means I’m learning.”
“It was embarrassing” → “I was brave to try.”
❤️ Be Patient and Gentle
Positive thinking doesn’t mean ignoring problems — it means helping your child see possibilities, even when things are hard.
💬 What Parents Can Say to Help Reframe the Story
WHEN A CHILD SAYS ... | YOU COULD RESPOND WITH ... |
“I can’t do this.” | You can’t do it yet — but you’re learning.” |
“Everyone is better than me.” | “Everyone learns at their own pace. Let’s look at how far you’ve come.” |
“I made a mistake.” | Mistakes help your brain grow — what did you learn?” |
“It was a bad day.” | “What was one thing that went okay today?” |