Resilience in Kids
Four Tips for Developing Resilience in Kids
It is a rare individual who does not encounter disappointments and difficulties during their childhood years. In my twenty years as a school counselor, I counseled children in coping with their parent’s divorce, the death of a beloved grandparent and rejection by peers. While some children adjust to and deal with challenging and even tragic situations, others seem stuck and unable to move past them. What makes the difference? How is it that some children are more resilient than others?
Here are some important factors that parents and educators can encourage and develop:
They experience some measure of control over their lives– Children who are given choices as well as opportunities to make decisions learn that they can impact their world. They learn to evaluate their circumstances and not only react to them but also to create and manage change.
They learn from failure– Children who experience failure and undesirable outcomes as an opportunity to learn and develop rather than as a sign they should give up, rebound best from difficult times. Instead of letting failure define them as losers, they see it as valuable feedback on how to handle obstacles.
They recognize their gifts and talents: Children who are in touch with their own strengths are able develop them, share them and recognize the strengths of others. While they don’t ignore areas of weakness, they focus on and maximize their unique abilities.
They believe that they matter as human beings– Children who have a belief in their own self-worth and who express that belief through encouraging and empowering others are able to ultimately help others cope with similar situations. They may provide support or companionship when they see others struggling.
Wyatt Learns about Giving
It’s almost Christmas and Wyatt the Wonder Dog is wondering how long he will have to wait until the big day and what gifts he will get. His mother however, has a more important question, “What will you give for Christmas?” Join Wyatt as he learns a valuable lesson about how anyone can be generous and giving at Christmas and all through the year.
With Wyatt the Wonder Dog as their guide, children learn the value of generosity and what it means to give from the heart. Lynne Watts deftly weaves this powerful lesson in a delightfully entertaining story sure to appeal to both children and parents.
~ Martha Jane Orlando, author of Children in the Garden
