Posted by In order for children to feel comfortable in adverse situations, be able to de-escalate a problem, and be able to solve them, they need to learn to be resilient. Children will be faced with a number of stressful moments, and they continue throughout adulthood as well, so it’s important to show your child how to handle these situations in the best way they can.
In this guide from a private school in Surrey, we explore how you can raise a resilient child.
Use problem solving games
Being able to solve a problem is part of how anyone, regardless of age, can handle resilience. For children, the best way to do this is through playing games and role playing examples of solving problems. Board games are a fun way to do this, as well as using water play or building things in a sandpit. Ask your child questions often about the process and see what they can come up with, they may surprise you with the solutions they think of.
Provide respect in the home
Being respectful is part of developing a child’s skills in being resilient to change. Regardless of how a child feels about a situation, they have to remain calm and focused, which is where offering respect comes into play. A child that gets upset when they don’t get their way is a problem, so role play aspects of being respectful throughout their day. Let them pick up your mannerisms and ways they can help you in the home.
Put them into a variety of situations
A child should never feel scared about what they’re about to do, but you can encourage them to try things that may push them out of their comfort zone. Heading on that roller coaster can be daunting, but it could also be a fun experience for your child. They also don’t have to be exhilarating activities – they could be encouraging your child to try out the school spelling bee, or entering an art competition.