Negativity
appears everywhere in media reports, because conflict makes news.
Violence
and negativity also appear in movies, games, and music videos, mostly because
the manufacturers consider it entertaining — and because they are rewarded
financially by producing this content.
This
negative bombardment can give a false impression to young people that the world
around them is not very positive.
For
this reason, it’s important to find time to talk with children about many good
things that happen and go unreported.
Focus
especially on what is positive in their neighborhood and their school.
Positive
stories surround us if we make a point of looking for them – neighbors who’ve
helped other neighbors, people who support worthy causes, and so forth.
It’s
also very clear from the research that developing a positive attitude in
school-age children is important to success in the classroom.
In
fact, hearing positive news can help your child feel good about school in
general and schoolwork in particular.
Make
it a special point to share your enthusiasm about students who help out and
make a difference in the community.
By
holding up those young people as a model, your children may then strive to be
one of them.
That’s
how the chain of compassion begins, and that’s how we can help pass it along
for future generations.
