Life is hard. Some of us have a harder time than others, but we all face struggles, challenges, and tragedies over the course of our lives.
What decides how we respond to those tragedies? Some people sink into a pit of despair whereas others come out stronger and more ready to tackle the rest of life.
Resilience is the key attribute here. Read on to learn some effective ways to help children build this much-needed resilience.
What Is Resilience?
Resilient children bounce back from rough situations more readily or are less fazed by failure or difficulty. They might not get it the first time, but they are determined enough to try again.
Less resilient children give up or get frustrated and may never return to the task. Thus, they never get the sense of accomplishment that would come from success.
Where Do Children Get Resilience?
Psychologists talk about nature vs nurture a lot when it comes to reactions and behaviors. This has to do with what part of our personalities are innate and determined by our genes and what part is influenced by the environment around us.
For many attributes, it’s both. In the case of resilience, you may have already noticed it in your kids when they were babies. What happens when they fall after taking their first step? One kid might bounce up right away and try again. Another might sit and cry for a bit and maybe not try again for a few more days.
However, while there is a certain amount of innate resilience, children can learn more from their environments. This includes parents, teachers, and even the situations they are faced with.
How Can You Help Your Child Be More Resilient?
The next question then is, what can you do to encourage resilience in your child? After all, you want them to grow to be a well-adjusted adult who can handle the challenges that life throws at them.
Luckily there are a few things that can help. Problem-solving toys and creative thinking activities help them to work through challenges in a positive way. This helps teach them determination and that if they keep trying, eventually they will reach their goal.
When they make mistakes, lovingly encourage them to learn positive lessons from those mistakes and do better next time. Help them to always look for the positive aspects in a situation. No matter how dire your circumstances, you can always find a silver lining if you look hard enough.
Finally, encourage your children to reach out for help when they need it. Whether they ask you for help or another trusted adult, they should know they have support.
Living a Happy, Resilient Life
Resilient kids grow up to be happy, well-adjusted adults in spite of the circumstances that life throws at them. By helping your child develop resilience, you can help them live a happy life — no matter what.