How To Build Resilient Children

Life can be full of challenges and setbacks, but resilience is the ability to bounce back from these difficulties and continue moving forward. Building resilience in children is a vital skill that can help them cope with stress, manage emotions, and achieve their goals. Here are some strategies that parents and caregivers can use to help build resilience in children.

Teach Coping Skills

Teaching coping skills is an essential part of how to build resilient children. When children face challenging situations, they may feel overwhelmed or helpless, and may struggle to cope with their emotions. Coping skills can help children manage their emotions and handle difficult situations more effectively.

There are many different coping skills that children can learn, and it is important to find coping strategies that work for each individual child. Some children may benefit from physical activity, such as going for a walk or doing some yoga, while others may find comfort in creative activities, like drawing or writing. Encouraging children to identify and express their emotions can also be an effective coping strategy. For example, children can be taught to label and identify their emotions, and then find healthy ways to express those emotions, such as talking to a trusted adult or writing in a journal.

It is also important to teach children how to problem-solve and think critically when faced with difficult situations. By helping children break down problems into smaller, more manageable steps, they can feel more empowered and in control. This can help them to develop a sense of agency and self-efficacy, which are important components of resilience.

In addition to teaching specific coping skills, it is important to model healthy coping behaviors as parents, caregivers, and educators. Children learn by observing and imitating those around them, so it is important to demonstrate healthy ways of coping with stress and adversity. This can include taking breaks when feeling overwhelmed, practicing self-care activities, and seeking support from others when needed.

Encourage a Growth Mindset

Encouraging a growth mindset is an important part of building resilience in children. A growth mindset is the belief that one's abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and hard work, rather than being fixed and unchangeable. Children who have a growth mindset are more likely to persevere through challenges and setbacks, as they see them as opportunities for growth and learning.

To encourage a growth mindset in children, it is important to praise effort and progress, rather than just outcomes or achievements. When children are praised for their hard work and dedication, rather than just their natural talents or abilities, they are more likely to develop a growth mindset. It is also important to encourage children to take risks and try new things, even if they might fail at first. By emphasizing the process of learning and growth, rather than just the end result, we can help children develop both their character and their growth mindset.

Another way to encourage a growth mindset is to provide opportunities for children to learn and practice new skills. When children are challenged with tasks that are just beyond their current abilities, they are more likely to develop a growth mindset as they work to overcome those challenges. It is also important to provide feedback that is specific, actionable, and focused on growth and improvement. By helping children identify areas where they can improve and providing support and guidance, we can help them develop a growth mindset.

Finally, it is important to model a growth mindset as parents, caregivers, and educators. When we demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow, and when we talk about our own mistakes and failures as opportunities for growth, we can inspire children to develop a growth mindset as well.

Develop a Support System

Developing a support system is another important aspect of how to build resilient children. A strong support system can provide children with the emotional and practical support they need to cope with challenges and setbacks.

One key element of a support system is a positive and nurturing relationship with a caring adult. This could be a parent, caregiver, teacher, mentor, or coach. When children have a strong and positive relationship with a trusted adult, they are more likely to feel supported and encouraged, and less likely to feel overwhelmed or alone in the face of adversity.

It is also important to encourage children to develop positive relationships with their peers. Friends and classmates can provide emotional support, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for social connection and fun. By helping children build positive relationships with their peers, we can provide them with a valuable source of support and resilience.

Another way to develop a support system is to provide access to mental health services or counseling. Mental health professionals can provide children with the tools and strategies they need to cope with stress and adversity, as well as a safe space to talk about their feelings and experiences.

Foster a Sense of Self-Efficacy 

Fostering a sense of self-efficacy is another crucial aspect of building resilience in children. Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to handle challenging situations and achieve goals. When children have a strong sense of self-efficacy, they are more likely to persevere in the face of setbacks and challenges, and to believe that their efforts can make a difference.

One way to foster self-efficacy is to encourage children to set realistic goals and work towards them. By breaking larger goals into smaller, more achievable steps, children can build a sense of competence and accomplishment, which can increase their confidence in their ability to succeed.

It is also important to provide children with opportunities for learning and growth. When children are given the opportunity to try new things, make mistakes, and learn from those mistakes, they can develop a sense of mastery and confidence in their abilities. By providing constructive feedback and praise for effort, rather than just results, we can help children develop a growth mindset and a sense of self-efficacy.

Another way to foster self-efficacy is to encourage children to take on challenges and take risks. When children are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and try new things, they can develop a sense of courage and resilience. By providing support and encouragement, we can help children take on new challenges and build their sense of self-efficacy.

Finally, it is important to model self-efficacy and resilience ourselves. By demonstrating confidence in our own abilities and taking on challenges with a positive attitude, we can provide a powerful example for children to follow. When children see us persevering in the face of adversity and bouncing back from setbacks, they can learn valuable lessons about resilience and self-efficacy.

Encourage Resilience Through Play

Encouraging resilience through play is an effective and enjoyable way to help children develop this important skill. Play provides a safe and supportive environment for children to practice coping strategies, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. When children engage in imaginative play, they are free to explore different scenarios and practice different responses to challenging situations.

One way to encourage resilience through play is to provide children with a variety of toys and materials that promote problem-solving and creativity. Toys such as building blocks, puzzles, and board games can help children develop cognitive skills such as planning, reasoning, and decision-making. When children are challenged to solve problems and overcome obstacles during play, they learn how to persist in the face of difficulty and develop a sense of resilience.

Role-play is another effective way to encourage resilience through play. By acting out different scenarios and playing different roles, children can practice different ways of responding to challenging situations. For example, children can role-play situations such as standing up to a bully, coping with a disappointment or loss, or handling a difficult conversation with a friend or family member.

Outdoor play is also an excellent way to encourage resilience in children. Playing outside provides opportunities for children to engage in physical activity, connect with nature, and experience risk-taking in a safe and supportive environment. When children are encouraged to take safe risks during outdoor play, such as climbing a tree or trying a new physical activity or even martial arts, they can develop a sense of confidence and resilience.

Finally, it is important to remember that play is a natural and spontaneous activity for children. By encouraging unstructured playtime, children can explore their own interests and develop their own ideas about how to respond to challenges. When adults provide support and guidance without taking over, children can develop a sense of independence and resilience.

In conclusion 

Building resilience in children is an important skill that can help them cope with stress, manage difficult emotions, and achieve their goals. By teaching coping skills, encouraging a growth mindset, developing a support system, fostering a sense of self-efficacy, and encouraging resilience through play, parents and caregivers can help children develop the skills they need to overcome adversity and thrive.

If you want to learn more about what area your child needs the most support with, take our Breakthrough Area Assessment by clicking the link below.