Resilience is an essential trait for people to have. Parents should begin to plan their parenting around building resilient children. It is significant for mental health and a crucial skill they take into adulthood.
It helps them to overcome the challenges they face in their childhood, such as moving to a new school or coping with the death of a family member. The habit further aids decision-making, reducing the chances of suffering from anxiety and stress.
It brings us to the main question- How to build resilience in children?
Well, we’re here for that. We mention tried and tested methods to develop this essential skill in children starting from their early years. Read on!
1. Encourage your kid to indulge in outdoor activities
Today, parents have access to playgrounds with various equipment and slides. They are all designed to build one or the other skill in children.
So, it would help if you encourage your children to drop their comfort zone and get on the commercial playground equipment. It will help them develop motor skills and confidence to brave the unknown. You can also use your backyard to place some slides and games per your children’s age.
In addition, motivate them to try a new sport, go hiking, or maybe fight their fear of water. It is not only physical activity but also mental stimulation that aids in building resilience. Taking a step out of their comfort zone also assists in building thinking capacity.
2. Build emotional connection
Coping skills is a result of a caring relationship. Therefore, it is crucial to spend one-on-one time with children. Both parents should indulge in these sessions. You must decide whether you want to take the session together or engage in single parent-child time.
Spending this time will make your children understand that they have unconditional family support. Thereby, they feel empowered to try and work through difficult situations. A positive emotional connection with children aids the adults in portraying problem-solving behavior.
3. Let them know asking for help is okay
Children often go with the idea that braving things means handling them by themselves. However, it is not valid. Human beings are social animals. Thus, they need to interact and ask for help when they are stuck in some situations.
So, it is vital to let your children know that one part of being brave is to turn towards help in times of need. They should know that people who care for them will never judge them, and they can ask for guidance. Asking for help does not mean letting others do the thing; instead, taking their ideas to build your path.
4. Embrace your and their mistakes
Resilience comes into play when a person is stuck in a problematic situation or has done something wrong. Therefore, embracing mistakes and acknowledging them in the family is vital. Show your kids that mistakes are okay as long as the person learns from them and moves ahead.
Failure to acknowledge the wrongdoing and scolding the kids for their mistakes makes them think of loss. They begin to hide things and avoid emotions that arise in those moments. On the other hand, embracing mistakes encourages a growth mindset.
Bottom line
Resilience helps kids navigate their way through obstacles. However, they can learn this skill when the parents model coping behavior. Children go through various stress at different stages of their life, such as changing schools, losing a friend, or giving up their favorite toy for their sibling. In such a situation, you have the opportunity to develop the essential trait in them.