Welcome to Happy Mails: Children’s Edition. These Happy Mails are designed for children ages 7 to 12 and are based on the same principles as the regular Happy Mails. We should all feel good about ourselves and have a life that is filled with hope and optimism. Optimism is a mind state that can be learned and what a better time to learn such an attitude than during childhood?

Let’s not fool ourselves that childhood is rosy and without difficulty and struggle. Children can develop depression in the same way adults can. However research strongly indicates that optimism can help prevent depression. These Happy Mails are an opportunity for a child to look at their life in a positive way, to think about the things they love and clarify what really matters to them. Experiencing positive emotions means a person is more likely to embrace and accomplish goals.

Happy Mails may assist your child in developing and expressing an opinion, so important to self-esteem. They can also assist in reducing extremes of thinking, especially the persistence of negative thoughts. For example, ‘bad things always happen to me’, and ‘good things never come my way’ are common negative thoughts that hopefully through the activities your child will recognise are not true.

These Happy Mails can be completed by the child on their own. However, they are a valuable opportunity to allow parents to interact with their child and get to know them in a more positive environment. Even spending a few minutes a week looking at your child’s Happy Mail will help you appreciate your child better and your child will value the positive attention you give them.

Importantly, Happy Mails provide opportunities for your child to exercise different character strengths. Signature strengths emerge at the age of seven and if nurtured will bring great rewards to your child. As such, you may find your child flourishing in certain activities, since they are getting to use their strengths.

General Guidelines

Each Happy Mail has accompanying notes for your reference.  These will give you some thoughts on the content of that Happy Mail. It will also let you know where supervision of certain activities may be needed.

It is up to you and your child to decide how you want to complete the Happy Mails. The child can complete them alone, without any assistance from the caregiver. Or the caregiver can assist the child if they want help. Else another option would be for you and your child to both complete separate Happy Mails and come together each week to compare notes.

Whatever you decide, it is hoped you will discuss the Happy Mails each week with your child. When you look at the Happy Mail, remember it is your child’s opinions and as such, are valid. There is no need to criticise or challenge them in any way. Remember to praise their successes and acknowledge when they have done something particularly well.  You may notice that they complete some sections or activities more than others. Do not be too concerned about this. Encourage them to complete it all but praise them for the good work they have done.

Section descriptions

This week I will

The tasks here give your child an opportunity to try different things and hopefully increase their sense of accomplishment. Depending on the activity, the child has a chance to develop and work on different strengths.  All the activities are positive and will certainly not undermine your child’s self worth.

Give it a go

These tasks are similar to above, although there are a lot more learning opportunities. Let your child work within their comfort zone and encourage them to complete the activities. If you and your child believe they can succeed, it will promote a feeling of optimism that they can use throughout their life. Remember your child does not have to be good at the task, having fun and giving it a go is what counts.

Lists

This section is about helping your child recognise how much good is going on in their life. As such it can boost self-esteem and positive mood. It is an opportunity to be honest and feel good about themselves without criticism from anyone.  Hopefully they will take these reflections with them as they go about their day.

My favourite

'My favourite' provides opportunities for your child to make choices. It allows the child to express an opinion which may take courage. Sometimes it is not easy to make a decision and your child may require assistance in this task. Again, your child gets to reflect on  and appreciate the good things in their life. As their caregiver, it is also a chance for you to learn what their favourite things are.

What I like about my favourite

This section is for your child to explain why their chosen favourite thing is their favourite. It is a great opportunity to develop their emotional vocabulary and own their choices.  It is a chance to express an opinion which may boost honesty, zest and courage. It is also a chance to get creative; you may observe this strength in some of the responses given. This task may also boost gratitude and an appreciation of beauty and excellence.

Picture box

Each week your child will be given something to draw. It will allow them to use their imagination and boost creativity. As you look at their drawings, you may see signs of particular strengths. For example, are they fairly prudent in how they draw, focusing on details and facts, or do they stray from reality? Do you see humour in their pictures? What do you notice about their use of colour and the space available?

Word of the week

For this activity, your child is given a word which they should try and use as often as possible in appropriate sentences. Some of the words they may not know the meaning of, so encourage them to look it up in the dictionary. At the end of each week, you could get them to tell stories of how they used the word. This activity although can boost literacy and learning is supposed to be fun.

5 interesting things about

This task provides your child with an opportunity to learn more about the world around them, and develop their curiosity. You may see their creative side as your child discovers or searches for the unusual or unexpected. Hopefully they will share their findings and engage in discussion.

Want to subscribe?

Begin by registering with Make the Change. Happy Mails Children's Edition cost $20 AUD.

Visit 'subscribing to Happy Mails: Children's Edition' for details.