Activities to Help Kids Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive

Negative thought patterns are detrimental to a child's health and well-being. You must figure out the root cause of the negative thoughts. A qualified mental health practitioner must examine children who are chronically depressed or engaging in negative thoughts. However, for children who are normally happy, but just being a bit negative, then you can snap them out of it in several ways and help them replace their negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

Talking and Counseling

• Talk with the child in a casual, relax and nonconfrontational manner. Covertly inquire as to the problem. For example, "What's wrong with you?" is a terrible way to get a child to open up. Instead, play a quiet game with the child and ask him about what his feelings and thoughts. Tell him you sometimes get sad or angry too. Ask gentle leading questions that let the child open up about his thoughts. This allows you to offer solutions and assess the child's mental state.

Appreciation

• Positive thoughts can replace negative thoughts through appreciation. This activity works on adults as well and can help put things in perspective. Have the child name or write down some of the things she is grateful and happy for. If the child can't think of any, then name some things the child likes: friends, ice cream, swimming, games, grandparents. The child will soon discover a lot to be happy about. Tell the child that you love and appreciate her.

Exercise

• Depression and sadness can be linked to chemical levels in the body. Exercise helps release endorphins and other positive chemicals that induce a happy state; it is also good for the child's overall health. Play a sport with the child, go for a hike, run, jog or bike ride. Do something that gets the child's heart rate up for at least 30 minutes.

Engagement

• Children can sometimes have negative thought patterns when isolated, bored or not engaged with others. Have the child join a team, club or some activity. Child should be with others their age, doing something they enjoy. This helps to establish healthy friendships and gets children participating in something.