The Optimistic Child

by Martin Seligman
The Optimistic Child cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Psychology and Human Behavior
Technical
  • ID: 4370
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781864713015
  • Publisher: William Heinemann
  • Published: 2011-05-02
  • Reviews: 3

The Optimistic Child by Dr. Martin Seligman offers a well-validated program to prevent depression in children and build lifelong resilience. Through a thirty-year study, Seligman and his colleagues uncovered the link between pessimism and depression, providing practical tools for parents, teachers, and coaches to teach children optimism. This approach not only helps combat depression but also enhances school performance, improves physical health, and fosters self-reliance as children grow into adulthood. Seligman emphasizes that teaching optimism is about creating a positive strength that can be deployed throughout life. The book is filled with clear, helpful language and practical advice, making it an invaluable resource for caregivers who want to open up a world of possibilities for their children.

Reviews
The Life Curator · 2025-03-29
insightful 4.50

The book is praised for its practical approach to teaching children resilience and optimism. It is seen as a valuable resource for parents and educators.

The reviewer highlights how the book provides a comprehensive guide for nurturing optimism and resilience in children. They appreciate the practical tools and strategies offered, which are grounded in scientific research. The book is seen as a lifeline for parents and teachers, especially in today's challenging times. The reviewer also notes that the book's insights are thought-provoking and easy to implement, making it a valuable resource for anyone involved in child development.

Quick quotes

    The book explores how children can develop resilience and optimism, offering a guide to help parents, teachers, and caregivers nurture these qualities.

    In a time when anxiety and helplessness seem to grip younger generations, this book feels like a lifeline—one grounded in science, not platitudes.

    The book is praised for its practical approach to teaching children resilience and optimism.

Parenthoca · 2021-11-19
practical 4.20

The book is commended for its well-validated program to immunize children against mental health issues. It is seen as a crucial resource for modern parenting.

The reviewer emphasizes the book's well-validated program to safeguard children from depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. They appreciate the scientific backing and practical advice provided, making it a crucial resource for parents and educators. The book is seen as a timely and necessary guide in today's world, where mental health issues are prevalent among children. The reviewer also notes that the book's insights are easy to understand and implement, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    In this book, Seligman offers us a well-validated program to “immunise” children against depression, anxiety and other mental problems.

    The book is commended for its well-validated program to immunize children against mental health issues.

    It is seen as a crucial resource for modern parenting.

Blinkist · 1995-01-01
comprehensive 4.00

The book is appreciated for its exploration of the benefits of optimism and the dangers of pessimistic thinking. It is seen as a valuable resource for understanding child psychology.

The reviewer highlights the book's exploration of the benefits of raising optimistic children and the dangers of pessimistic thinking. They appreciate the psychological insights and practical advice provided, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in child development. The book is seen as a comprehensive guide that draws on extensive research and real-world examples. The reviewer also notes that the book's insights are thought-provoking and easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    The Optimistic Child (1996) explores both the benefits of raising children to be optimistic and the dangers of pessimistic thinking.

    Drawing on psychologist Martin Seligman's extensive research, the book offers practical advice for parents and educators.

    The book is appreciated for its exploration of the benefits of optimism and the dangers of pessimistic thinking.

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