Resilient Children

Recently, a member of our Child Abuse Prevention Council traveled to Sacramento to attend Dr. Mark Katz's workshop "On Playing a Poor Hand Well: Advances in Our Understanding of Human Resilience and the Limits of Emotional Endurance" based upon his book "On Playing a Poor Hand Well".

The following are a few of Dr. Katz's points she jotted down during the workshop and we are passing along to you.

• Resilience is strength under adversity.
• We are far more resilient that we realize.
• There is never anything so "wrong" with us, that what is "right" with us can't fix.
• People have a universal need to feel like we matter and feel like we have something to contribute. (visit our post on the need to feel important)
• Positive relationships are key to strengthening an individuals resilience.

Living in adversity can create issues for children in which self-regulation becomes a problem. Stress causes the brain to secrete the chemical cortisol which keeps the child alert for danger and creates an counteractive state to learning. High levels of stress and cortisol interfere with the child's ability to self-regulate. Problems with self-regulation exhibit themselves as behavior problems, creating further stress on the child and those responsible for providing their care. Risk factors for children include: poverty, domestic violence, abuse, removal from their home and placement in foster care.

Children struggling with adversity need "turning point" experiences, second chances, and supportive individuals. Additionally, the meaning we attach to adverse experiences can determine whether we view ourselves are resilient and courageous or helpless and hopeless.

As child care providers and community agencies serving families and children, we need to create and support learning environments that are safe, where differences are legitimized, where children see themselves through their strengths, not what challenges them, where they learn to work hard, not give up and treat mistakes as learning experiences.

Also remember to start at the beginning.
Focus on strengthening the 5 Protective Factors in families helping to reduce adverse life experiences of families and children. The five protective factors are increasing parent resilience, increasing a families social connections and support, increasing knowledge of parenting and child development, providing concrete support in times of need, and providing social-emotional competence.

Read more about social-emotional health needs by searching REHC in our blog search box on your right.