Building Resilience in Youth

We see childhood as a time of freedom and carelessness. However, the truth is far from this. This age offers no shield against the emotional challenges many children face, let alone learning to deal with them.

Part of growing up is developing the ability to understand the feelings of others and knowing how to overcome the stressful and sometimes painful experiences in our lives. Adults have the mental abilities and skills needed to deal with specific problems, whereas children do not. That’s why building resilience and emotional intelligence in young is a popular topic in health and education and parenting.

There are many other ways parents and teachers can develop resilience and emotional intelligence in young people.

5 proven ways to build resilience and emotional intelligence in students.

Teach them social-emotional skills

Incorporating programs that incorporate the teaching of social-emotional skills helps students achieve better academic outcomes. Sure, the whole school approach is beneficial, but if your school isn’t at that level, there’s a lot you can do in the classroom.

Clearly work on improving peer relationships by helping to maintain self-awareness, social awareness, decision-making responsibility, self-management, relationship skills, and knowledge. Today’s education system is complex, and a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. So teachers need to examine how people learn and understand knowledge.

If you are interested in furthering your education on the subject, a viable way to get a foot in your door is by enrolling in an MA Educational Psychology online program. It is an ideal degree for busy teachers to learn psychology and improve the learning process for all.

Persistence of learning is important

Self-motivation is an essential component of developing resilience and emotional intelligence in students, and what all children need to be successful in life. While many students will naturally try to improve themselves in some way or another, others will need a little more guidance. Remind students that they must put forth effort and perseverance in order to thrive.

And, if you notice that students are working very hard but still falling short of grades, appreciate their efforts and encourage them to keep trying until they get it right. . Every student should be advised to set goals to feel a sense of accomplishment.

In addition, it helps counter negative thoughts and encourages children to reach deep within themselves to find the determination to succeed.

Foster positive emotions

Due to a number of complex reasons including the pandemic, more students are experiencing stress and anxiety these days. A more positive attitude can be calming in the face of rejection, loss, despair, and fear.

One way to address this in the classroom is to encourage positive thinking and emotion regulation. Eventually, students will be in a better mental state to deal with problems and de-stress about certain aspects of their lives.

In addition, you can incorporate mindfulness techniques into the classroom and help increase positivity in your students. Also, try meditation in class (in person or online), having students sit quietly and do guided breathing exercises for five minutes at the beginning of the lesson. Often, developing emotional intelligence in students requires a holistic approach.

Integrated character education

Character education fosters the development of ethical and responsible students. To develop emotional intelligence in students, teach them the benefits of concrete values ​​to be trustworthy and honest and accept responsibility for their actions. Give your students opportunities to develop and improve these skills in the classroom. Discuss these abilities during history classes and reading activities. Encourage students to consider ways to become more responsible or trustworthy. Then, allow them to put their ideas into action. Recognize ethical and honest behavior, especially when students accept responsibility for harmful actions.

Teaching the importance of physical and mental wellness

Emotional intelligence and resilience are essential not only psychologically, but also physically. Students need to be physically fit to feel solid and ready for the challenges of life. And that includes getting enough sleep at night, getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and drinking lots of water. This will not only keep students fit and healthy, but will also help them become more resilient, confident and capable.

Facilitating group discussions on healthy habits is a great way to get students thinking about their health and well-being. Make a list of your students’ suggestions and ask them to name a healthy habit, such as eating five fruits and vegetables per day.

Final thoughts

It takes time to build resilience and emotional intelligence in students. You can follow these techniques to instill this habit in your students and help them improve their social, academic and emotional outcomes.