3 Strategies for Building Resilience
“Bounce back”, “get back on your feet”, “pick yourself up”, “just try again” — I’m sure we have all heard these sayings before, but how easy is it to actually do them? Add in the emotion after failing a drivers permit you’ve been studying for, getting a bad grade on a paper you worked extremely hard on, or not making the Varsity team after training all summer.
Young people face hurdles, setbacks, even social challenges regularly, but it’s not about the obstacle — it’s about how that person handles the experience and walks away.
Here are 3 strategies to help your student build resiliency.
Set Realistic Goals and Encourage Risks: It’s not about where your child is now, but where they want to go. Setting challenging but realistic goals allows your child to grow by taking risks and trying new things. Reward the effort, not the outcome.
Encourage a Growth Mindset: It’s okay to be upset, but take a step back and reframe the situation and label the emotions. Rephrase the disappointment and allow them to explore the benefits, including the learning experience.
Be A Cheerleader, Not the Cure: It’s hard to watch your child face a challenge, but you have to let your child navigate the field and learn on their own. Be your child’s support system, not their solution.