The Six C’s of Resilience

We cannot prevent adversity, but adversity can make us more resilient.

Here are some ideas for building resilience in kids and teens, whether your own children, or those you are teaching:

1. Control

Provide children opportunities which lend a sense of control. Help them feel more in control by offering choices, letting them make small decisions when appropriate, or help them realize that they can take an active role in their daily life.

2. Competence Help children feel more competent by helping them identify how they are handling their challenges and coping with them. Encouraging children to ask questions, understand their feelings, and participate in managing their time are great ways to start.

3. Confidence Help build confidence by acknowledging children's hard work and by giving them the necessary tools to overcome the physical or emotional obstacles. Try to resist the temptation to do it for them. By allowing them the opportunity deal with the challenge in their own way, they will feel the pride in succeeding and will never forget the experience.

4. Connection Give children a strong sense of emotional security by encouraging them to express their feelings. Accept and support them, whatever emotions are expressed. Feeling heard helps strengthen emotional bonds. Remember that they are always watching you and your reaction what they say. It is important to show the appropriate emotional and body language response. 5. Character Strengthen a children’s sense of character by helping them explore who they are, what their values are, and what wisdom and gifts they have that they can share with others. 6. Contribution Help children acknowledge that although they may be in a position of receiving more than they are able to give, the world is a better place because they are here. Explore situations where their can be involved with others and truly feel that they are contributing with the group.