MAC Blog Post 4: wk 1 reading: Teaching Optimism

I recently completed a master’s program in education and cognitive science.  One of the courses focused on teaching thinking skills and cognitive assets to students. The book The Art of Possibility complements this course well.  I teach the asset of optimism to my students using the ABC approach discussed by Dr. Martin Seligman in his book The Optimistic Child. In addition I use techniques discussed by Dr. Daniel Amen in his book Mind Coach, on how to teach children to be more optimistic. I will definitely include tips and exercises from The Art of Possibility when working with my students in the future.

Optimism is seen as a cognitive asset because it appears to underlie perseverance, which leads to success against difficult odds. Surveys of successful people show that the more optimistic a person is, the more likely they are to keep going until they succeed. If one cannot see possibilities then one cannot see the possibility of success. I strive to teach my students explicitly how to see different points of view and possibilities. We examine case studies and we discuss possible points of view. Engaging in guided practice with an optimist that sees many possibilities seems to be the best way to scaffold people into thinking about the various possibilities and options in the situations life confronts us with. Many of my students suffer from depressive disorders. Seeing life from a negative vantage point is their default setting. I hope that trying to stay positive and teaching them the skills to help them do this will make a positive difference in their lives.