Our routines, relationships with other people, and perspectives on life all influence our wellbeing. When we share these parts of our lives with kids, we help them build resilience.
Resilience is how we adapt and respond to the present moment. It affects how we cope with day-to-day life and moments of crisis. Fortunately, kids build these skills every day. Read on for ideas for how we as caretakers can support them.
Help your child create positive connections with other people
Secure relationships with adults help kids feel safe, understood, and cared for. These relationships also give kids multiple ways to seek help when they need it.
You can help your child create relationships with family members, teachers, coaches, neighbors, and the parents of their friends. A strong support network makes your child more resilient and can help you find the support you need as well!
Help your child practice gratitude
In challenging times and in joyful times, taking time to share what’s going right helps us keep a positive view on life. Practicing gratitude with your child can help prevent feelings of being overwhelmed. It may make you feel better as well!
Mealtime is a great opportunity to model sharing what went well in your day. With the very young kids in my preschool classes, I would often smile and say, “I’m happy I got to laugh with you today,” or “I’m happy we saw birds in the park.” Kids understand that we are happy with them before they can say it back.
Make Space for Wonder
Kids are natural explorers. Wherever they go, they search for new experiences. This is why toddlers love the question “why?” and why babies put everything in their mouths!
When kids wonder about and explore the world around them, they practice mindfulness. We use mindfulness when we observe the present moment and accept it for what it is.
Mindfulness is linked to lower stress, management of emotions, focus, and empathy. When kids have time and space to explore, they build these skills.
Some ideas for supporting wonder and mindfulness for kids:
- Spend time outside
- Include slow, unrushed time in your family’s routine
- Play games like “I Spy…”
Book Nook:
- Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willar and Daniel Rechtschaffen Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
- What Are Your Words? By Katherine Locke Illustrated by Anne Passcher
- The Wonder You See By Joana Gaines
- The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
Learn more about resilience:
American Psychological Association
Haley Bossé (they/them) is an Education Program Assistant for the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative. They started their career as a preschool teacher and have had the pleasure of working with parents, children, and other educators in both schools and non-profit settings. Haley has three wonderful niblings and can often be found running around with them in the rain.
Learn more about the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative and read our blog!