We are not born as a resilient child, but we must learn how to be in order to overcome life’s inevitable challenges. Resilient children don’t let a bad grade curb their motivation to succeed in school and they don’t let an argument with a friend drag them down. They face obstacles head-on and look to the future with optimism. With that said, it’s important for parents to try and help their children develop a sense of resilience. Here are some tips from a junior school in Hertfordshire.
Take a Step Back
Firstly, parents should try and promote a sense of independence within their children, by taking a step back and allow them to tackle problems on their own. It’s natural to want to dive in and save your child from any heartache or embarrassment but shielding them from every challenge won’t help them develop the strength they need to bounce back. They need to become confident in their own abilities, make their own decisions and understand how certain actions lead to certain consequences.
It’s a good idea to set your child some achievable tasks to do around the house so that you can supervise from a distance. Praise them when they complete the tasks successfully and gradually make them more challenging. This will help them develop their independence because it shows them that you trust them to do things on their own. These tasks could be something like folding the clean laundry or walking the dog; whatever you think is age appropriate.
Focus on the Positives
If something goes wrong for your child, try and help them understand that it’s not the end of the world; tomorrow is another day. For instance, if they get a bad grade on a test, remind them that there’s always another opportunity for them to prove themselves, and at least now they know what areas of the curriculum they need to work on.
The idea is to instil a sense of optimism in your child, so that they look to the future with a positive outlook, rather than dwelling on things they can’t change. This will help them overcome certain setbacks. Let them know that you support them no matter what happens.
Be a Good Role Model
The way you behave will have a huge impact on your resilient child, so it’s important to model the behaviour you want to see from them. Don’t let them see you stressing out about a presentation at work or a big utility bill you wish you didn’t have to pay, because that will teach them the wrong way to cope with obstacles. They need to know to tackle certain problems head-on, with determination.