Helping children develop resilience

Helping Children Develop Resilience

It is natural for children to face many different kinds of difficulties during their growth and development. Developing emotional resilience, or the ability to cope with adversity, is an important part of their emotional health. Parents can help their children, from toddlers to teenagers, develop the skills and abilities they need to cope with their feelings and build resilience.

Maintaining a Positive Attitude

One of the first steps in helping a child to develop resilience is to make a conscious effort to model a positive attitude. Expressing positive feelings and teaching children to reframe their thoughts can help them cope with adversity. Parents can model positive coping strategies to show children how to take meaningful action to address their challenges and be resourceful when life does not turn out as expected.

Encouraging Problem-Solving

Additionally, help children develop their problem-solving skills. This can be done by providing them with opportunities to practice problem-solving in small and big ways. Encourage them to identify possible solutions to a problem and brainstorm ways they can tackle the issue.

Building a Support System

It is also beneficial to help your child build a strong support system. Instilling the belief that they have a trusted resource of support is an important step in helping your child develop resilience. Additional support can come from grandparents, relatives, friends, teachers, mentors, and other sources. Seek out activities and hobbies for your child to become involved with that create a relationships and allow them to feel part of a team.

Teaching Coping Skills

There are many different ways that parents can teach their children coping skills. Here are some examples:

• Deep-breathing and meditation – helping children become mindful of their feelings and more aware of the present moment.
• Self-talk – helping children recognize and accept their feelings while learning how to be their own cheerleader.
• Positive self-care – helping children take care of their minds and bodies with activities such as exercise, healthy eating, and quality sleep.

Finally, teaching children to accept that not all things are in their control is a crucial step in developing emotional resilience. After all, allowing children to learn how to deal with setbacks, accept their own limitations, and adapt to changing situations can help them grow into emotionally secure and resilient individuals.