Developing resilience in children is not an easy endeavor. Each child temperament and ability to cope with adversity may differ. However, an emotionally competent parent or supportive family member is a significant source of helping children strengthen anatomy and willingness to ask for help when necessary.

This blog post will explain five ways adults can help children become more resilient.

1. Empathy

Empathically respond to children letting them know that you understand their point of view, even when you are attempting to teach another perspective.

2. Mistakes are learning opportunities

Avoid pointing out childrens’ mistakes as failures. Make it clear that errors are an opportunity to learn something new. Encourage them to face their mistakes and learn from them, and emphasize that learning to do so is what will make them a success in the long run! We all make mistakes, what’s most important is what we can learn from them.

3. Encourage children to solve problems

Encourage children to solve problems and make decisions. Be present to support them in this as well as afterward. While it may be tempting to always be hands on, sometimes it is important to allow children to resolve problems with guidance rather than involvement. Be there as a support- but allow them to exercise autonomy and learn how to work through situations and make their own choices.

4. Be flexible

Be accepting of each child’s unique interest and personalities. Every child is different; thus you will encounter students with a variety of personalities, insights, talents, and backgrounds. Flexibility allows those who work with children to find the most effective ways of guiding children’s behavior.

Tiana Brown is the Assistant Director of the Norwalk Housing Authority Learning Centers