Resilience increases a child’s ability to cope with challenges life can throw at them such as; adapting to school, making friends, and at times more serious life events like a death in the family, divorce or separation. All children can develop these skills, however resilience needs to be nurtured and strengthened. Parents play a vital role in promoting and supporting the building of resilience in their children.
Normal Setbacks
Explain to your child that it is not
unusual to experience difficulties
in life and show them that problems
can be solved. Let your child know
it is okay to make mistakes and learn
from them to help make better
decisions the next time.
Keeping perspective
Encourage your child to keep things
in perspective by looking at problems
within the bigger picture. Remind
them that bad feelings don’t last, can
have a purpose and can prompt us to
do things differently in the future.
Provide opportunity
for learning
You can illustrate resilience to
your child by pointing out how
characters overcame difficult
scenarios when reading stories
together.
Hang on to humour
Remember the importance of having
fun – laughter is a great way of
reducing tension. Well intentioned,
playful humour can help you and
your child get through tough times.
Positivity
Model resiliency in your own
behaviour; try to remain calm
and consistent in how you handle
challenges. Create a positive
environment emphasising the
importance of relationships.
Support
Provide your child with support and
help them manage their emotions
appropriately. Let them know that
they have people who love and care
about them and can give them help
and advice when they need it.
