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- OPTIMISTIC THINKING
What IS OPTIMISTIC THINKING?
Helen Keller once noted that,. "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." The belief that things will turn out well is what motivates effort and encourages us to keep trying. After all, if we truly believed that our efforts are wasted and that things are going to end badly, why would we make the effort? We want our children to have an attitude of confidence, hopefulness, and positive thinking about themselves and their future.
As we have all struggled with challenges in our lives, maintaining a sense of hopefulness and optimism is critical. The sacrifices that we make are inspired by the belief that they will make a positive difference for our families, our communities, and our country. Fortunately, optimistic thinking is a skill that can be taught. Below is a simple strategy to promote a child’s or teen’s sense of optimism.
activities to build optimistic thinking: "even if"
The goal of this strategy is simple - to help children recognize and build important optimistic thinking skills.
Disappointment is a normal part of growing up; plans change, things don’t work out, and kids don’t always get what they hope for. The “Even if” strategy helps children learn how to respond to those moments with flexibility and optimism.
The core idea is simple: encourage children to acknowledge what they can’t do, while intentionally identifying what they still can do. This helps shift their focus from loss to possibility, without minimizing their feelings.
For example, even if a child can’t have friends over for a birthday party, they can still celebrate in a meaningful way—like planning a smaller gathering, doing a special activity with family, or connecting with friends online. With practice, children begin to naturally think, “Even if I can’t ___, I can still ___,” building a lifelong skill for handling frustration, change, and disappointment in healthy ways.
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
Younger children often benefit from concrete, fun examples that focus on connection and play.
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Even if I can’t go to my friend’s house, I can still play a game together online or over the phone.
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Even if we can’t go to the movies, I can still have a family movie night at home.
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Even if plans change, I can still find something fun to look forward to.
Parents can help by brainstorming ideas together and modeling the language out loud.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
Middle schoolers are developing independence and often enjoy learning new skills or finding creative alternatives.
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Even if I can’t go to my favorite restaurant, I can still learn how to make that food at home.
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Even if I didn’t make the team, I can still practice, try a new activity, or set a goal for next season.
This age group benefits from seeing setbacks as opportunities to grow competence and confidence.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Older students are often motivated by purpose, contribution, and real-world relevance.
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Even if I can’t work as many hours at my job, I can still contribute at home or volunteer in my community.
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Even if my plans didn’t work out, I can still find ways to build skills that matter for my future.
Encouraging teens to connect the “Even if” strategy to their values also helps build resilience and responsible decision making.
Additional activities for students and families
Learn more about the rest of the skills measured by the DESSA and access activities that families or educators can use with students K-12 to build their skills.
