[.ca] The Optimistic Child: Proven Program to Safeguard ... (ISBN 0060977094)

Optimisim can be learned- one optimist's view.:
The basic premise of this book is that optimisim is not only a tendency which some are born with, but also a learned skill that even those who are naturally pessimistic in nature can master. It is theorized that by teaching children this skill they will be better able to avoid being overcome by depression,as both children and the adults they grow into. The author is one who was an early proponent of cognitive therapy, which is a behavior modification type program for re-training the pessimistic brain of those who are depressed, and which has had remarkable, positive results. In this book those same techniques are described to parents as PREVENTATIVE life skills and habits to be developed in order to safeguard children from ever even becoming depressed. As the former spouse of a clinically depressed man who has sucessfully managed his depression through cognitive therapy, I am a believer in this process. If severly depressed people can be taught a functional optimism which effectively treats depression, then teaching these same positive functional habits of optimism in children as a prevetative measure makes alot of sense. I picked up this book in the hope of teaching our children these life skills. I was impressed by the functional "HOW TO" type exercises to use with children of all ages. This book is written in a easy to understand manner which is not overly innundated with technical jargon. Of course, my review is from the vantage point of an optimist herself who would like to believe I can help prepare my children to face life in a healthy manner through parenting. I am putting a lot of faith in the power of nurture over nature- and many will debate that. Nonetheless, having heard the depressed who has lived through the worst of depression to extol the virtue of cognitive therapy as nothing less than life saving, I think that even a pessimist would be a believer in the power of optimism once he or she learns this incredible secret-- that like most things, optimism can indeed be learned, and that it is one of the most important things one can learn to be healthy and happy. This book truly is a great tool in teaching that skill.

Just Right If Child and Parents Have Optimistic Temperaments:
Dr. Seligman's book is just right if your child and both parents are temperamentally optimists. In that case, this book is wonderful and I recommend it to you. But if the child or one or both of the parents have a more pessimism-prone personality temperament, it is advisable to add understanding of new research on the cognitive strategy called 'constructive pessimism' which deals with individual differences in the normal range of personality temperaments of optimism -- pessimism. Psychologist Ed Chang edited the new book on that, Optimism and Pessimism. So add Chang to Seligman for balance, and if you need more then look at books by Elaine Aron. That's my advice for completeness -- children and adults really do display a fascinating and sometimes challenging range of personality temperaments. And when it comes to making the most of life, No one size fits all.

Great parenting book!:
Seligman did it again! In this book, the author first explains what optimism really is and what is not. It is not perceiving a glass as half full instead of half empty and it is not an attitude of "Every day things get better and better", it is instead a matter of cricitally evaluating one's look at the world. It consists of questioning basic assumptions, looking for evidence for and against beliefs, looking for alternatives and thus reaching a more accurate view of things. Seligman's advice is firmly rooted in sound research findings, both about his teaching children the art of optimism and also about the proven beneficial effects of cognitive therapy. Though I agree with one reviewer that optimism is not always beneficial (especially if it is a kind of super-optimism), the research findings of Seligman and also of other therapists (e.g. Wilde) strongly point to the fact that using the principles given in this book will surely buffer your child against the inevitable setbacks of life. One of the best parenting books! As a supplement I also heartily recommend the book from John Gottman: "The heart of parenting"

Pretty good...:
Prof. Seligman is one of the Deans of American psychotherapy and a founder of the cognitive-behavioral method of psychotherapy. His interest in kids is obvious--as well as is his experience. The theory revolves around several basic concepts. At its most basic, What you think and what you do equals how you feel. Prof. Seligman's method is designed to help children not draw inaccurate inferences (cognitions) from events and behavior (for example, "I'm a jerk" if someone does not play with you.) He correctly notes that optimism and hopefulness are just as learned as is depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, and drugs (psychopharmacology therapy) are the two main treatment modes with demonstrated positive results. The method itself is quite simple and is very useful to children, families, parents, and adults who work with children. I have given this book to parents and coaches. However, the writing itself is more complicated than the theory--I suppose a Dean of psychotherapy is entitled--so readers will have to work at extracting Seligman's nuggets. It's worth the time, no doubt.

Maybe it's Mistitled, but it's GREAT:
I don't disagree entirely with the one-star reviewer--optimism is hardly the answer to all of society's problems. However, as the parent of a son who often shows signs of inheriting ... depression ..., I found this book to be a proactive alternative to the little lectures on over-reacting to situations that I had been giving! I explain the steps Seligman suggests as games we play to prepare him for middle school and they get him thinking about the control he can exert in his own perceptions (this is a skill often not acquired until late adolescence, if ever). Finally, some support for at-risk kids! I only wish more parents were aware of the influence their behavior wields--this book helps both parent and child increase self-understanding. Other books on childhood depression depend too heavily on explaining available medication--THANK YOU, Mr. Seligman, for offering concrete advice on drug-free depression-prevention.