PARENT
November ‘09
NEWSLETTER
* Building Resiliency in your Child *
What is Resiliency?
Resiliency is the ability to spring back,
rebound, successfully adapt in the face of
adversity, and develop social, academic,
and vocational competence despite
exposure to severe stress or simply to the
stress that is inherent in today’s world.
Every student today, indeed every person
young and old, needs to develop resiliency.
Resilient
Characteristics
In Children
 Life skills such as problem solving,
critical thinking, and impulse control
 Self-motivation
 Positive view of personal future
 Have special interests, goals, and
motivation to achieve in school and in
life
 Sociability; ability to be a friend;
ability to form positive relationships
 Sense of humor
 Autonomy, independence
results will bring about an increase in positive
 Flexibility
self-esteem, attachment to school, a belief
 Feelings of self-worth and self-
confidence
Prepared by Shrein Bahrami, MA, MFTI, Sunshine Gardens’ Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Please contact her at sbahramimfti@gmail.com with comments, questions, or suggestions for future issues.
Sunshine Gardens
Issue 2
6 Steps to Fostering Resiliency at
School & Home
1. Increase bonding. Children with strong
positive bonds with any prosocial person or
activity are far less likely to be involved in
risk behaviors.
2. Set clear & consistent boundaries:
Development and consistency of school rules
and procedures as well as appropriate
consequences that are consistently enforced.
3. Teach life skills: cooperation, healthy
conflict resolution, communication skills,
problem solving and decision-making skills,
and healthy stress management.
4. Caring & support: Provide an unconditional
positive regard and encouragement.
5. Set & communicate high expectations: It is
important that expectations be both high
and realistic in order to be effective.
6. Provide opportunities for meaningful
participation. Students, their families and
staff should have responsibility for what
goes on in school, providing opportunities for
problem solving, decision-making, planning,
goal setting, and helping others.
*************************
If all six approaches are implemented,
in rules, and higher standardized test
scores, as well as significant decreases in
delinquency, drug use, and suspensions for
students.