Life is not without downs and ups. Every child is bound to face difficult situations and this is why every parent must know how to build resilience in their children. Resilience building is facilitated by providing a comfortable and enabling environment for children to feel seen, loved, and accepted as they take on new life milestones.
The ability to bounce back up after facing a life hurdle is necessary and parents need to instill this skill in their children if they wish to set them up for success. There’s a common misunderstanding that resilience is an inborn trait and not something that can be nurtured.
While personality types differ and how each child processes and handles a life situation will be different, no one is born resilient and it’s something to be built over time.
Now let’s look at ways parents, guardians, or caregivers can build resilience in their children.
What Are The 7 C’s Of Resilience In Children?
The famous 7 C’s Of Resilience is a framework often attributed to the American Psychological Association. It serves as a comprehensive guide for approaching Resilience building in children. The 7 C’s include:
1. Competence:
Children who are aware of their capabilities, skills, as well as talents approach situations with confidence. This sense of self-satisfaction enables them to face difficult situations head-on.
2. Confidence:
This has to do with the child’s belief in themselves and their abilities. A strong sense of self keeps them grounded in the face of uncertainties.
3. Connection:
As humans, we thrive based on connections. Helping your child to be able to build strong social connections and relationships with their family and friends will enable them get all the support they need during tough times.
4. Character:
The ability to take responsibility for one’s self and one’s actions is a necessary step in mastering resilience. Ensure to promote good traits such as empathy, kindness, and integrity, to help them make ethical and responsible decisions even when faced with adversity.
5. Contribution:
This is another way to leverage the connection factor in building resilience. Contributing to the community helps children to have a sense of purpose which often fuels resilience. Help them to understand the power of giving back.
6. Coping:
Strategies to help them stay regulated in the face of trouble goes a long way. Teach them skills like stress management, problem solving, and emotional regulation.
7. Control:
When children have a sense of control over their lives even in little ways, they tend to develop resilience. It let’s them know that they have power over their lives.
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How Do Children Gain Resilience?
Resilience is a dynamic trait that is built over time. Children can gain resilience when these skills are nurtured. This can start with building strong and healthy relationships, to make them feel safe and valued.
Resilience also develops in children through the acquisition of certain skills like emotional regulation, self-expression, relationship building and problem solving. Teaching them to understand, express, and manage their emotions effectively equips them to cope with stress and challenges.
Encouraging them to face and solve problems, make decisions, and learn from both success and failure builds self-confidence and adaptability.
What are The Four Strategies To Building Resilience?
Creating strategies for building resilience in children makes the teaching process easy for the parent and children are likely to develop these trait faster. The four key strategies to build resilience include:
1. Developing a Support System:
Resilience in children is facilitated by the presence of a strong support system. Building strong relationships with friends, family, or a community helps them to get emotional support during difficult times. These circles will provide them with safe spaces to express themselves, be heard, and validated.
2. Cultivating Adaptability:
Becoming adaptable is a skill that takes time to build. This is a trait shared by all resilient people. They embrace change as a constant thing in life and see it as an opportunity to grow and improve. This trait is honed through problem-solving, learning new skills or crafts, and maintaining an optimistic outlook on life.
3. Practicing Self-Care:
Self-care is an integral part of learning resilience. Teaching your children to take care of their physical, emotional, and mental well-being fosters a sense of self-accountability. Start with teaching habits like regular exercise, eating right and on time, and sticking to sleep schedules.
4. Building Problem-Solving Skills:
The ability to solve problems and think out of the box is pivotal to developing resilience. Teach your children to step back from the situation when it looks too tough and analyze ways out. Problem solving can be nurtured by creating activities that give room for such as well as indulging in mind stimulating games.
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What are The 3 P’s of Resilience?
The 3 P’s of resilience for children are key factors that enable young children to navigate and overcome life’s challenges. These principles border around the development of skills and attitudes that foster resilience just like the 7 C’s Of Resilience. The 3 P’s of Resilience include:
1. Positive Relationships:
Model how to build strong, supportive relationships with caregivers, family members, friends, and mentors. Children learn best by overseeing. Teach communication skills, trust building and how to discern who to trust.
2. Problem-Solving Approaches:
Modelling how to effectively solve problems and cope with difficulties is essential for resilience. This involves encouraging critical thinking and reasoning.
By empowering children to develop problem-solving skills, they become better equipped to handle stressors and setbacks, learning from their experiences rather than feeling overwhelmed by them.
3. Personal Strengths:
Nurturing a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence is the third “P” of resilience. Encourage them to recognize and develop their unique strengths, talents, and abilities. Teach them to believe in themselves and to be confident.
When children have confidence in their abilities, they are more likely to persevere through challenges and setbacks, believing in their capacity to overcome adversity
How To Build Resilience In a Sensitive Child?
Building resilience in a sensitive child is essential for their emotional development. Sensitive children are often prone to stress, anxiety, and emotional reactions. However, with the right guidance and support, they can develop skills needed to sail through life’s challenges effectively. Here are some strategies to help you build resilience in a sensitive child:
1. Emotional Validation:
Pay attention to their emotions. Acknowledge and validate them every chance you get. Let them know it’s okay to feel the way they do. This helps them feel understood and accepted.
2. Teach Coping Skills:
Teach your child age-appropriate coping strategies, such as drawing, painting, deep breathing, mindfulness, or journaling, to help them manage their emotions when they feel overwhelmed.
3. Problem solving:
Encourage your child to identify problems and find solutions to them. This helps them develop a sense of control and confidence when faced with real-life challenges.
4. Set Realistic Expectations:
Help your child set achievable goals. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps, so they can easily reach their goals. This way, when they encounter challenges in the process, they won’t be too overwhelmed.
5. Model Resilience:
Children often learn by observing their parents or caregivers. Demonstrate resilience in your own life, and they will likely walk in your foot steps.
6. Foster Supportive Relationships:
Encourage your child to build positive relationships with peers and adults who provide emotional support.
7. Promote Self-Care:
Teach your child the importance of self-care, including getting adequate sleep, eating healthy meals , and regular physical activity. A well-nourished body can better handle stress.
8. Encourage a Growth Mindset:
Teach your child that setbacks are opportunities for growth. Emphasize that mistakes are a normal part of learning and not a reflection of their worth.
9. Limit Exposure to Stressors:
While it’s impossible to shield them from all stressors, minimize exposure to unnecessary stress and provide a stable and nurturing environment at home.
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Conclusion on: How To Build Resilience In Children
Building resilience in children takes time and patience. Remember that each child is unique, and progress may vary. By implementing these strategies and providing a supportive and empathetic environment, you can empower your child to navigate life’s challenges with great confidence and resilience.
