In life, we encounter obstacles and failures. As a child grows into a young adult, he or she will undoubtedly face adversities, challenges and crises at certain points. Resilience is the ability to endure difficulties and then recover from setbacks. This is essential for one to soldier on in life’s journey and emerge stronger than before.
It is impossible to teach a lesson on resilience to our children simply with words. A child has to be put through challenges in order to build up their character and mental strength. From solving everyday problems to dealing with high levels of stress while preparing for examinations, there are plenty of opportunities to mould a child into one with the capability to handle the vicissitudes of life.
Resilience might not be best likened to a trampoline, on which one can bounce back up immediately from the lowest point. Rather, it is more like climbing to the summit of a mountain with a clear focus coupled with sheer determination. It takes time, bravery and hard work to overcome the problems along the way. Most importantly, one does not give up while reaching for the summit. Instead, he or she embraces each difficulty that comes along, and tackles it with courage. Eventually, success will come.
There are 7 building blocks of resilience, termed the “7 Cs of resilience”. Understanding them will enable parents to better identify ways to develop their children in this aspect.
Competence
This describes the feeling of knowing that one can handle a situation well. For example, for students, academic competence can be developed over time. There are many resources, from school notes to sg free test papers, which students can make use of to deepen their understanding of the subject matter. A student will be competent in a subject as long as he or she puts in sufficient effort and time.
Confidence
This is the belief in one’s own abilities, and stems much from competence. For example, a Primary 6 student, having built a solid foundation and conquered all questions in free test papers for Primary 5, will naturally possess the confidence to take on the more challenging topics in the Primary 6 syllabus. For the subject of Science, exposure to a variety of questions is essential for a student to be able to tackle exam questions with confidence. Primary 6 students can build up their competence and confidence by reviewing Singapore PSLE Science questions.
Connection
Close ties to one’s family and the community create a strong sense of security for an individual. Healthy relationships reinforce encouragements and positive messages. A child will also feel comfortable reaching out for emotional support during tough times.
Character
A solid set of values to differentiate right from wrong, together with a compassionate and caring attitude towards others, will enable a child to have a strong character. He or she will not stray from the correct path and will be a valuable member of society in future.
Contribution
It is important for a child to recognise his or her self-worth and be aware that the world is a wonderful place because they are in it. Realising the importance of personal contribution can serve as a source of motivation and allow them to see their actions as meaningful and purposeful. For example, in a PSLE study group, a student who is stronger in Mathematics can take some time to coach his or her peer who is weaker. By practising Primary 6 Maths questions Singapore together, both students will become better in the subject while developing friendship in the process.
Coping
Learning how to cope with negative emotions will better prepare a child to overcome the different challenges in life. Parents can also demonstrate positive coping strategies and explain the rationale of their actions as and when problems occur. This will help children to observe how problems can be resolved in a calm and rational way.
Control
Children who realise that they themselves have control over the outcomes of their actions are highly likely to possess the ability to bounce back from setbacks. This understanding promotes confidence as well. Parents can empower their children by helping them to understand that most things that happen are due to one’s decisions and that they must be responsible for every single action.