In the book “Raising Mentally Strong Kids”, Dr. Daniel G. Amen encourages parents to raise emotionally strong children by challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with constructive, optimistic perspectives. This practice not only boosts self-esteem but also teaches children resilience in the face of adversity.

Some ways to build confidence with children can be:

• Encourage children to identify and challenge negative thoughts by asking, “What evidence do you have for this thought?”
• Teach children to replace “I can’t” with “I can try” or “I’ll figure it out.”
• Praise effort, not just outcomes, to build confidence and reinforce a growth mindset.

Some ways to help children develop mental strength can be:

• Encourage children to break problems into smaller, manageable steps and brainstorm possible solutions.
• Ask guiding questions like, “What are some ways to solve this?” or “What would happen if you tried this?”
• Teach children to focus on what they can control and to view challenges as opportunities for learning.

By incorporating these strategies, parents, carers, family members, and friends can help children develop more optimistic, solution-oriented thinking, while building their mental strength and resilience at the same time.