Raising Resilient Children

When my children were in lower school, my husband and I always encouraged them to try new things. My daughter was always cautious about venturing to experiences that were beyond her strengths, and my son was reluctant to try something new because he didn’t want to fail. I knew as a parent that both children would miss out on opportunities simply because they were unwilling to take safe risks. I shared my concerns with my mentor, who suggested reading the book Raising Resilient Children by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein.

Raising Resilient Children gave me tools to help parent my children to develop a resilient mindset. A resilient mindset is one that can handle challenges and persevere through difficult situations. As parents, it is essential to support this mindset in our children, especially in lower school, where they are just beginning to develop their sense of self. Here are a few ways to support this mindset in your parenting efforts.

• Teach your children to set goals. This can be done by helping them identify what they want to achieve and then breaking it down into smaller, achievable steps. Children develop a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their abilities by setting and achieving goals as parents choose to praise the effort rather than merely the outcome.
• Encourage children to take risks. Taking risks is an integral part of learning and growing. When children are encouraged to take risks, they develop a sense of courage and confidence in themselves. Set a standard to finish what has been started.
• Help your child to develop a growth mindset. This means helping them understand their abilities can be acquired through hard work and dedication. Children with a growth mindset will likely persevere through challenges and setbacks. Focus on progress over perfection.
• Look for the bright spots. Teach your children to be optimistic. This means helping them see the positive in every situation, even tough things. When children are confident, they are more likely to have a positive outlook on life and handle challenges with grace and resilience.
• Model resilience. Children learn by example, and when they see their parents and teachers handling challenges with strength and grace, they are likely to do the same.
• Seek a partner in the education of your child. It makes a difference who is impacting your child for eight hours during the school day. Make sure to select a school who models the values you have set at home.

A Charlotte Christian education provides an environment that encourages and fosters resiliency in the classroom. Students are encouraged to set goals and take risks, and they are taught to have a growth mindset. Teachers model resilience and optimism, providing a supportive environment and encouraging students to persevere through challenges and setbacks by being exposed to rigorous academics that explore innovation and breed curiosity. By providing this type of educational experience, Charlotte Christian is helping its students develop the skills they will use far beyond the classroom walls.

As our children grow, they will encounter many obstacles on their journey to adulthood. The lessons learned from both home, church and school will give them the tools they need to succeed today. Each small step they take towards trying something new is an opportunity to discover their passions and life pursuits. Their willingness to strive for success won’t be instilled through empty praise but rather by the foundational aspect of resilience.

Experience the Charlotte Christian community and attend an on-campus admissions event this fall. A Closer Look for Grades JK-5 is Wednesday, Oct. 11 and A Closer Look for Grades JK-12 is Saturday, Nov. 4. The events provide an opportunity to take a look into classrooms, tour the campus and learn more about our curriculum and co-curricular offerings. Register today!

https://www.charlottechristian.com/

Allycia Brown is in her 26th year serving at Charlotte Christian School. Her tenure began in 1999 as a second grade teacher assistant and then in 2008 she transitioned to the lower school administration team and in 2010, Mrs. Brown joined the admissions team as the admission coordinator. Today, she serves as the director of early education and lower school admissions. Mrs. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Queens University of Charlotte and a master’s degree in human service counseling from Regent University. She is a certified Gessell examiner by the Gessell Institute of Child Development and an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Allycia and her husband, Shonn, have a son, Terrelle (’22), a graduate of Wheaton College, and a daughter Morgan (’25), currently attending Baylor University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in her vegetable garden and playing pickleball.