Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficult situation. Deal with the ups and downs of life. A difficult situation for a child could be like not receiving the reward they thought they behaved well and tried very hard for, Or not being able to complete the activity which seemed very simple at first.
Researcher found children with high level of self esteem and self confidence are more likely to be more resilient and better at dealing with life as they get older. Resilience is based on children having -:
- Good Attachment to get the freedom to explore
- Healthy Relationships for wellbeing
- Emotional security to develop confidence to act independently
- Self-esteem for confidence to try new things
A positive outlook, non- aggressive attitude to deal with situations are signs of resilience in a child and help them manage difficult situation that may arise, as they get older. This could be an incident of retaliation, some disagreements or even saying no to drugs later in their lives.
For promoting resilience:
Being a role model
Children sometimes learn more from the unintended example set by an adult compared from the planned learning activities. Hence being a good role model to the children would give them more clarity on what is appropriate and how to carry a positive outlook about self and others.
Value their achievements
Praising little achievements would encourage children and give them a different perspective to look at a situation rather than just the outcome. This could boost up their confidence to put together all their small achievements and eventually get a success.
Include in decision-making
Including children in decision-making, inadvertently builds up their confidence and self-esteem, it boosts them up to try new things and explore.
Respect
Listening with genuine interest and respecting their views, even if their opinion is different from others, goes a long way to help build up children’s self-identity. They get the sense of contribution and feel valued.
Provide opportunities
Providing varied opportunities and encouraging them to participate would help them socialise and also improve on their communication. Allowing child to lead and support to achieve their desired outcome builds up their confidence and also the capability of striving back in cae the outcome wasn’t favourable.
Treat with warmth and have patience
Responding to children with warmth and patience develops a good relationship with them. This healthy bond gives them sense of security and confidence to try out new things and explore. Try new ideas and be creative.
Never judge negatively
Rather than judging an individual if the behaviour is mentioned as a wrong or inappropriate then the child may still find himself / herself welcomed if the specified behaviour / activity is not performed again. This helps draw the boundary of acceptable and not acceptable attitudes and also which one to choose.
For promoting wellbeing:
In addition to factors mentioned in subject D3-Promote Health and Well-Being of children; answer 1, the below activities help in class room:
Display Posters:
Display posters on the room and bathroom walls to illustrate the correct practice, for instance right way of washing hands; or covering mouth while sneezing; or using tissue for nose. These simple pictures would give children reminders of the already informed or expected behaviour.
Explain with a Story or song:
During the circle time the importance of healthy and safe practices could be told using a story or song. This would help children remember easily.
Follow your own advice:
Children might see you as a role model, so its imperative to follow what is expected from them or you might have advised earlier.
