When we think about helping children grow into healthy, resilient adults, it’s easy to focus on preventing adversity. But research shows there’s another powerful piece of the puzzle: creating positive experiences that help children feel safe, connected, and supported every day.
These moments, known as Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), are more than just happy memories — they are building blocks for lifelong mental health and well-being.
What Are Positive Childhood Experiences?
The Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) framework highlights how everyday interactions can have a profound impact on a child’s emotional and mental development. Research has found that children who experience consistent positive relationships and supportive environments are more likely to develop resilience, even when they encounter difficult circumstances.
Positive Childhood Experiences include:
- Feeling physically and emotionally safe
- Having strong, supportive relationships with caring adults
- Feeling a sense of belonging within family, school, and community
- Having opportunities to build social and emotional skills through everyday experiences
These protective experiences help children build confidence, cope with stress, and develop healthy relationships that last well into adulthood.
Simple Ways to Create Positive Childhood Experiences This Summer
The good news is that creating Positive Childhood Experiences doesn’t require elaborate plans or expensive activities. Often, it’s the small, intentional moments that make the biggest difference.
This summer, consider making time for activities like:
- Spending one-on-one time together through taking walks, riding bikes, or enjoying family game nights
- Encouraging children to explore their interests through summer camps, library programs, art projects, music, or sports
- Creating opportunities for strengthening connections with trusted adults such as grandparents, coaches, mentors, or family friends
- Participating in community events where children can develop friendships and a sense of belonging
- Establishing simple daily routines like sharing the highs and lows of the day, eating meals together, or expressing gratitude as a family
These consistent moments of connection help children feel valued, heard, and supported — creating a foundation for lifelong resilience.
Bringing HOPE to Our Community
Mental Health America of Lancaster-Lebanon Counties is proud to expand its commitment to strengthening families through the HOPE framework.
Our own Shelby Witmer has recently become a certified HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) Facilitator and is available to provide HOPE trainings for organizations, schools, professionals, caregivers, and community groups.
These trainings help participants understand the science behind Positive Childhood Experiences and provide practical strategies for incorporating them into everyday interactions with children.
Ready to Bring HOPE to Your Organization?
Whether you work with children, support families, or simply want to learn how to foster resilience, a HOPE training can equip you with practical tools to make a lasting impact.
To schedule a HOPE training or learn more, contact Shelby Witmer at switmer@mhalancaster.org or 717-397-7461.
You can also explore additional resources about the HOPE framework by visiting positiveexperience.org.
Together, we can create more positive experiences that help every child feel safe, connected, and empowered to thrive—not just this summer, but throughout their lives.