Children need to learn how to be resilient in order to deal with problems, adapt to tough situations, and get back on their feet after a failure. Kids need to learn to be resilient early on because it helps them deal with the ups and downs they will face as they grow up. When kids are resilient, they can deal with worry, anxiety, and problems better. This makes them more likely to do well in school, relationships, and life in general. The American Psychological Association says that children can develop mental and psychological flexibility by building their resilience from a very young age.
Helping People Have a Growth Mindset
Promoting a growth attitude is one of the best things parents can do to make their kids more resilient. A growth mindset, as described by psychologist Carol Dweck, tells kids to see problems as chances to learn instead of as threats to their skills. Kids are more likely to try again after failing if they think they can get better with hard work and persistence. Parents can show their kids this way of thinking by praising effort over natural talent and telling them that mistakes are a part of learning. Growing mindset research in the Journal of Developmental Psychology backs up the idea that kids who have one are better able to deal with problems.
Getting people to solve problems
Solving problems is an important part of being resilient. When kids can think critically and solve their own problems, they are more likely to believe in their own abilities to deal with problems. Parents can help their kids learn how to solve problems by getting them to think about problems and come up with possible answers. Helping them find their own solutions to problems instead of fixing them for them builds their independence and strength. A study from the University of Michigan found that kids who regularly did tasks that required them to solve problems were stronger and better able to deal with stress.
How to Be Resilient in Everyday Life
Kids watch their parents and one of the best ways to teach them to be strong is to show them how to do it. When parents deal with problems in a calm, positive, and persistent way, their kids are likely to do the same. Parents should be honest about the problems they face and how they deal with them. This openness helps kids understand that mistakes are a normal part of life and that they can also get through tough times if they try hard enough. Harvard University research shows that parents who show resilience have a big effect on how likely their children are to develop similar traits.
Building strong networks of support and connections
For kids to become resilient, they need a strong network of support. Kids are more likely to face problems with confidence if they know their families, friends, and teachers are there for them. Building good ties with other people will make your child feel safe and give them a group of people they can talk to when things get tough. A study from the National Institutes of Health says that social support is one of the best ways to predict how resilient a child will be. This shows how important it is to build strong, positive relationships.
Promoting Expression of Emotions
A big part of growing resilience in kids is helping them understand and talk about their feelings. Children who can control their emotions can deal with stress in a healthy way and handle their feelings, especially when things are hard. Making sure their kids have a safe place to talk about how they feel is one way parents can support emotional expression. Kids learn that it’s okay to feel sad, angry, or upset and that these emotions can be controlled by listening to them without judging them. Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, show that kids who are allowed to talk about their feelings are better able to deal with problems.
How to Teach Sticking With It and Grit
Grit, or perseverance, is the strength to keep going with a job or goal even when things go wrong. One important part of building resilience is teaching kids to keep going even when things get hard. Setting realistic goals with their kids and helping them make a plan to reach those goals is one way for parents to teach grit. Small wins along the way help people remember that their efforts and determination pay off. A study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology says that kids who learn to stick with things are stronger and better able to handle long-term problems.
Having room for failure and growth
Even though parents may want to protect their kids from failing, letting them experience losses is important for making them stronger. Kids learn a lot about perseverance, adaptability, and how important it is to put in effort when they fail. Kids learn that failing isn’t the end, but a chance to get better when they are allowed to do it in a safe place. Kids can build the grit they’ll need to face future challenges by being taught to be positive about failure and talking about what they can learn from their mistakes. According to research from Stanford University, kids who fail in a safe place are more likely to learn how to bounce back from setbacks.
Getting people to be more independent and responsible
Children develop a feeling of independence and self-confidence when they are given the chance to make decisions and take on responsibility. These are both important for building resilience. Kids are more likely to take chances, make choices, and deal with setbacks with confidence when they feel strong and trusted. Parents can help their kids become more independent by giving them jobs and responsibilities that are right for their age. A study from the University of Wisconsin found that kids who are allowed to make choices and own up to their mistakes are more likely to be strong and independent as adults.
Conclusion
Getting kids to be more resilient has benefits that last into life. Kids who are resilient as kids become resilient adults who are better able to deal with life’s problems, keep good relationships, and reach their goals. Parents set their kids up for a successful and happy life by showing them how to deal with problems, control their feelings, and keep going even when things get hard. The World Health Organization says that resilience is an important part of improving mental health and well-being throughout life. This shows how important it is to build resilience from a young age.
List of References
The American Psychological Association. Getting kids to be more resilient. Get this from APA.
C. S. Dweck (2006). Mindset is the new science of how to be successful. Random House in New York State.
Journal of Psychology and Development. (2018). The Growth Mindset and How It Can Help You Stay Strong. University of Michigan. Taken from JDP. (2017). Kids Need to Learn How to Solve Problems and Be Strong. Harvard University. Taken from UMich. (2015). Parental Examples of Being Resilient. Get it from Harvard.
The National Health Service. (2019). Being resilient and having social support as a child. Get it from the NIH.
Berkeley, California: University of California. (2016). Emotional Expression and Child Growth. Get it from UCBerkeley.
This is a journal about personality and social psychology. (2014). How grit can help you get through tough times. Taken from JPSP at Stanford University. (2017). How to Use Failure to Make You Stronger. Taken from Stanford University and the University of Wisconsin. (2020). How Independence and Responsibility Help Kids Grow Up. Getting it from UWisconsin. World Health Organization. Resilience and good mental health for life. Get this from WHO.
