Resilience is the process of adapting well to difficult situations and overcoming challenges. Children who are resilient will not only feel more confident, but they will alsobe much better prepared for dealing with the ups and downs of adulthood.

So how do you help your child to become more resilient? Here are some great tips from a private school in New York…

Be a good role model

Children learn from their parents, so it is important that you role model a ‘can do’ attitude for your child to follow. Encourage positivity, gratefulness and motivation in your daily life to help your child work through their difficulties.

Practice a growth mindset

Teach your child the definition of resilience and encourage them to have a ‘growth mindset’. A growth mindset is a really useful skill for children to harness because it will support them through many challenges and setbacks. Children with a growth mindset believe that their abilities will improve over time. This encourages them to keep trying and to view mistakes as learning opportunities.

Give more responsibility

To help your child develop a resilient attitude, you will need to give them more responsibility. Entrusting your child to complete tasks alone will help them to learn and it will also make them feel more confident. Ask your child to help with some simple jobs around the house, such as tidying up, or feeding a pet. This will increase their feelings of competency.

Teach gratitude

Practise daily gratitude with your child, by helping them to focus on all of the positives in their life. Gratitude is such an effective technique for improving mental health and maintaining a resilient attitude. A simple way to practise gratitude is by writing down a few things you are thankful for each day.

Be supportive

Encourage your child to talk to you about their dreams and aspirations, and discuss what steps they will need to take in order to reach their goals. Be there for your child when they need reassurance and make sure they know that they always have your support.