Fostering Resilience in Children

For any of us who have spent time around children, we can all agree that children have an uncanny ability to bounce back despite hardships. For many years the topic of resilience in children has been discussed  by youth service workers, psychologists, and researchers  as a solution to many of the common (or not so common) problems children encounter every day. But what does this mean?

We all have built-in coping skills. Think of how you perform in times of pressure, or how you wind down after a hard day at school or work…These are ways that you cope with life’s stresses. The challenge as you get older is a collective consciousness about stress and hardships and how to deal with them. Adults and older youths also have more stressors: from relationships, to finances, to work-related stress.

Fortunately children do not have many of the stressors adults and older youths deal with on a daily basis. This is why fostering resilience in children during the early stages of life is crucial. When children learn ways to cope with life’s challenges, this will only put them in a greater position to respond well under pressure as adults.

This week we have been tweeting tips that children and teens can use to handle those challenging situations. Here are 5 of the tips we shared this week:

1. Get Together – Talk with your friends, parents and family about some of the challenges you are experiencing. Utilize the life experience that other people have so you can gain a clearer perspective about what is going on around you, and use those people for support – a shoulder to cry on, perhaps – during difficult times. Become part of a community – church or school group – for an even greater support network.
2. Cut Yourself Some Slack - Stresses tend to compound, and the more you let stress build, they will play a greater impact on how you feel. Go easy on yourself, and your friends, when something bad happens.
3. Create a Hassle-Free Zone – It is important to have a personal retreat for yourself when things are tough. This should be a space where you can feel at peace and comfortable. At the same time, remember that your support network wants to be there for you during tough times, so be open to letting them in.
4. Stick to the Program – Consistency is key when dealing with stress. There are also many opportunities for you to try new things – both positive and negative. When times are tough, stick to what you know – whether it’s getting a cup of coffee with friends or reading a book before bed – because routines can give you comfort.
5. Take Care of Yourself – Be sure to take care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. And get enough sleep at night. When you are sharp, you will respond better during times of stress.

Of course, there are many ways to take care of yourself – and encourage others to take care of themselves – so be creative in finding those ways to deal with stressful situations. Next week we will continue this topic and discuss several other strategies. If you have your own strategies, share them with us because surely they will be helpful for others!

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