As children develop, it is important for them to have healthy attachments, self-regulation, good cognitive and social development as well as adaptive skills. Children can build resilience to face life’s challenges.

Resilience comes from the Latin word ‘resilire’ which means to ‘recoil or rebound’.  In Adlerian psych-ology, social interest is innate, can be taught, developed, nurtured; in society many believe that people are born with resilience which can also be learned.

Parents can incorporate resilience into their children’s lives through day-to-day experiences. With the home environment being the most important, developing resilience can also take place in your community, school system and by caregivers.

Without resilience, children are at risk for poor outcomes in the following areas: cognitive, emotional, physical and social.

• At home: develop a relationship with your children that is close, warm and nurturing as this will contribute to them feeling secure; allow your children to express their feelings as well as talk about them; help your children learn how to regulate his or her emotions; teach your children effective communication skills with positive interactions (i.e. read/sing together, inquire about their day), ways to solve problems and how to create solutions; create structure with established routines (i.e. bedtime), expectations and rules that are enacted with consistency; be a role model for your children
• In your community: research and use community resources such as churches, libraries as well as community centres and groups; make connections with your neighbours
• At school: have teachers who care with a positive attitude; support good actions in children; do not treat children differently but with equality; a place for extracurricular activities
• For caregivers: be responsive to the emotions and needs of children; interact and talk respectfully to children; assist children to feel appreciated and a sense of security

Helping children to build their resilience can strengthen healthy development, facilitate adapting to changes as well as facing and overcoming adversity, stress and trauma.

References

1. American Psychological Association (2014, December).  Resilience Booster: Parent Tip Tool. Retrieved June 22, 2020 from https://www.apa.org/topics/parenting/resilience-tip-tool?tab=1
2. American Psychological Association. (2009). What is Resilience. Retrieved June 22, 2020 from https://www.apa.org/practice/programs/campaign/secure/road-resilience/resilience
3. MacMillan Dictionary Blog. Word of the Day – Resilient. Retrieved June 22, 2020 from https://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/resilient
4. Masten, A.S, Gewirtz, A.H., & Sapienza, J.K. (2013, November). Resilience in Development: The Importance of Early Childhood.  Retrieved June 22, 2020 from http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/resilience/according-experts/resilience-development-importance-early-childhood