Building Resilience in Children
Objectives
~ Define resilience
~ Explore characteristics of Resilient People
~ Identify how to help people become more resilient
~ Highlight activities which can help people deal with unpleasant events when they happen
The Art of Resilience
~ Resilience is a process or lifestyle that enables people to bounce back in the face of adversity
~ “a dynamic process encompassing positive adaptation within the context of significant adversity” (Luthar, Cicchetti, & Becker, 2000)
~ Resilience develops over time as people are exposed to, and successfully navigate, stressors
~ We can help children by allowing them to try…and sometimes fail
Resiliency Theory
~ The central principles of the theory include
~ Risk factors and vulnerabilities
~ Protective factors/mechanisms
~ Risk factors and mechanisms are the events or conditions of adversity that cause distress in early life
~ Poverty
~ Prematurity
~ Residential mobility / lack of family or community ties
~ Addicted or dysfunctional family environment
~ Illness (cancer, M.S., chron’s disease)
The Art of Resilience
~ Vulnerability factors are individual traits, genetic predispositions, or environmental and biological deficits which may cause heightened response, sensitivity, or reaction to stressors.
~ Cognitive impairment (including FASD)—Early steps
~ Lack of social support– Social skills
~ Emotional dysregulation –Distress tolerance & Mindfulness
~ Ineffective coping skills –Coping skills
~ Mood or addictive disorders in the person –Screening and early intervention
~ Poor physical health (pain, nutrition, hormones, sleep) –Wellness behaviors, health education
The Art of Resilience
~ Protective factors and mechanisms are things which enhance or promote resistance, or which may moderate the effect of risk factors.
~ Rutter (1987) suggests that protective mechanisms may operate in one of four ways to allow overcoming adversity:
~ Reducing risk impact
~ Reducing negative chain reactions to risk factors
~ Promoting resiliency traits
~ Setting up new opportunities for success.
The Art of Resilience
~ Fergus and Zimmerman (2005) identified two types of protective factors.
~ Assets are positive factors that reside within individuals, such as:
~ Self-efficacy and self-esteem
~ Social competence and communication skills
~ Resources refer to factors outside individuals, such as:
~ Social support
~ Opportunities to learn and practice skills
~ Wellness programs that support biological health
Make Every Moment a Learning Opportunity
~ Practice mindfulness with your children at breakfast and before bed
~ When they are upset
~ Empathize
~ Comfort and help them de-escalate
~ Process
~ In young children, provide advice and role play
~ In older children, brainstorm possible reactions for the future
6-Cs of Resilience
~ 6-Cs
~ Coping
~ Control
~ Character
~ Confidence
~ Competence
~ Connection (resource)
Characteristics “Assets” of Resilient People
~ Coping: Can effectively balance negative and positive emotions and manage strong impulses.
~ Emotion Regulation / Prevent or mitigate vulnerabilities
~ Daily mindfulness
~ Screening and early intervention for DD/LD
~ Structure at home (Sleep, nutrition)
~ Distress Tolerance
~ Poster on the fridge and bedroom (and classrooms)
~ Problem Solving Skills
~ Focus on facts and what you can change
~ Remain aware of resources
Characteristics “Assets” of Resilient People
~ Character
~ Who are you, and who and what is important to you?
~ What things can you change in this situation?