This song demonstrates several elements of the optimistic explanatory style. One of these elements is a future orientation. Future orientation has been consistently correlated with academic achievement. Four year olds who were able to delay gratification were later described as being more successful in school and more immune to stress. Family environments which encourage and model self-imposed delay lead to behaviors related to school success and problem solving (Mischel et al., 1992).

Once a child has developed a future orientation, it is important to encourage the experience of anticipation. Anticipation is looking forward with pleasurable expectations. It is the positive emotional side of future orientation. Talk with your child about future pleasurable events like going to Grandma’s house on the weekend, etc. The frequent experience of anticipation gives your child a positive mindset about the future.

The final element of optimism in this song is the concept of celebrating. In our hectic life styles, we don’t take enough time to celebrate the small and large achievements of our children. Celebration encourages motivation. Every day we should find little ways to celebrate little successes of our children. It will have a large impact on their future.

Mischel, W., Shoda, Y. & Rodriguex, M. L. (1992). Delay of gratification in children. In G. Loewenstein & J. Elster (Eds.), Choice Over Time (pp. 147-164) New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

New Day
by Mary Hulefeld

Chorus:
New Day, New Day
Must be a million ways
To celebrate a New Day

Verse:
Baby bird hops out of its nest
Flaps its wings and tries
Maybe today will be the day
That baby bird starts to fly

Verse:
Growing a garden, I’ve planted seeds
Hoping for some flowers soon
Maybe today will be the day
Those flowers start to bloom

Verse:
Learning how to ride my bike
I’ve had some ups and downs
Maybe today will be the day
I ride my bike all around

Verse:
There’s a dream I want to do
Heard you are a dreamer too
Maybe today will be the day
Our dreaming starts to come true 

The Songs of Hope New Day series consists of the following eleven song titles (previews of each songs are available by clicking the links below:
New Day
Anything’s Possible
Spinning 
A Place Called Hope
I’ve Got a Light Inside 
Shine, Shine Beautiful Light
Seeds of Hope
Something Special 
I’m Blue - Good News
A Circle that Grows
Hope Says