Week 4 – Resilience and primary school children
At this stage, the children (Ages 6-11) are getting more mature because their thinking is becoming more orderly, structured and logical. According to Piaget (1963, 1983) it’s the stage of ‘concrete operations’.
Also it’s a time when they are trying to discover who they are, their interest and strengths. Acceptance by their peer group is of utmost importance at this stage and all they do reflects an overwhelming need to belong. They are stating to form cliques and social clusters in school especially on the playground.
Primary school is the time where they are learning socially, emotionally and cognitively in the classroom and on the playground. So as parents we can support them to build resilience at the stage through this 4 key tips.
4 key tips for building resilience in primary school children.
1. Reassure them that you are always there for them by showing love, care, positive attitude and words of encouragement.
2. Teach children to be responsible from a young age with (easy) tasks that should be completed, even if they do not feel like. e.g. house chores, personal hygiene and school work.
3. Modelling and teaching problem solving skills:
- Teach them the importance of working as part of a team and asking for help. (No child is an Island)
- Show them how to break a problem down into small steps, praising efforts and encouraging them not to quit but carry on.
- Encourage them to think things through in a positive way e.g. how can they change the situation? and not why is this happening to me.
4 Teach them emotional intelligence :
- Teach them ways of dealing with their emotions, decision making and choices in life. Calming down techniques, talking to a trusted adult that helps them stay away from trouble.
- Use a parenting model for effective communication to navigate your relationships in life, and be an example for your children e.g. don’t swear or be abusive around young children. Instead use rich vocabularies to describe emotions (I feel angry because….’)
Enjoy a relaxing half term with the children!