Resilience is the ability of individuals to navigate through life’s challenges, adversity, and stress. The concept is synonymous with ‘bouncing back’, but it is so much more than that. Resilience is fundamental to the healthy development of children and young people. It allows them to rise above challenges, tackle challenges with a positive outlook, and be confident in their abilities.
Resilience is essential for children living in adverse circumstances, where they may face stress, trauma, or hardship. But not all children possess resilience, leaving them vulnerable to outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and even physical illness.
Thankfully, the human mind is measured and understood emotional intelligence and is capable of adapting to adversities to increase resilience. Moreover, research shows that resilience can be strengthened through specific interventions and practices.
When we consider the science behind resilience, expert opinions suggest that there are three primary components to foster resilience in children: relationships, growth mindset, and self-regulation.
Relationships
Relationships are central to the development of resilience. Children who have positive relationships with their peers, family, and the wider community have a secure base to draw upon when faced with adversity. Positive relationships provide a sense of security, attachment, and stability that can buffer the potential negative impact of stressful experiences.
Children raised in healthy and positive relationships thrive better than children raised in less favorable social situations, and it is critical to building these connections early in life. Encourage children to form supportive relationships with their peers, positive role models, and family.
Growth mindset
Growth mindset is the belief that one can improve their abilities through hard work and practice. Children with growth mindsets are often more resilient to setbacks and failures, gaining a sense of self-worth and self-confidence. On the other hand, children with fixed mindsets view failure as shameful and are more likely to give up easily when faced with adversity.
Parents and educators can help children develop a growth mindset by praising their effort instead of achievements, encouraging them to learn from their mistakes, and teaching them how to set achievable goals.
Self-regulation
Self-regulation is the ability to manage one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to align with long-term goals. Children who have good self-regulation are better equipped to cope with anxiety, fear, and frustration when faced with adversity. In contrast, children who have poor self-regulation may struggle to make sound decisions and fall prey to destructive behavior.
Parents and educators can teach children self-regulation by modeling appropriate behaviors, creating routines and structure to reduce stress, and encouraging stress-management practices like mindfulness or relaxation techniques.
Resilience is critical to the healthy development of children and young people. By fostering resilience, parents and educators can equip children with the mental tools to overcome adversity and succeed in life. The combination of positive relationships, growth mindsets, and self-regulation can have a significant effect on children’s lives, enabling them to flourish amidst challenging circumstances. With this understanding, it is essential to support children in developing their resilience from an early age, building strong and resilient adults for the future.
Lev Grows 
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