Positive Thoughts

Positive ThoughtsToo often kids (and many adults too) react to a problem situation without taking the time to think in a clear and rational way. In the heat of a problem, conflict, or disappointment, it is hard to get kids to think things through clearly. They tend to blame others, blame themselves, be unnecessarily pessimistic, or insist on self-centered solutions. The game gives kids a way to learn these concepts and apply them in the game - when they are not upset or under pressure. After learning both the pitfalls and the skills for dealing successfully with these problems, kids can apply the skills to their own issues. Positive Thoughts is based on work by Albert Ellis on Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), which shows that emotional problems can be traced to irrational thinking processes. Problems can be alleviated or solved by beginning to use rational thinking processes. In the game, his theory is applied to everyday problems, not serious emotional problems. The game uses the word