Teaching Kids Resiliency
The past few weeks have been challenging to say the least. When students left school in mid-March, they had no idea what the future would hold. They did not know if they would be going back to school in a few days, a few weeks, or a few months. They did not know how learning would take place moving forward. But move forward they did. Students across the country slowly learned to adapt and make the best of each situation.
Being able to adjust is a sign of their resiliency. This is a skill that you can continue to foster in your children so that they can take difficulties and setbacks in stride, get back on their feet, and push ahead. There is a lot that can be learned from the challenges coronavirus has presented.
There is more than one way to succeed.
Just because your child has always done something one way does not mean that is the only way. Their teacher may have taught fractions or multiplication using a specific strategy, but chances are, there are other methods that are just as effective. Show your child that there can be multiple paths that all lead to the same solution. Have them teach you what they know, and you can do the same. Let them see that by using different techniques and adjusting how they work, they can still get to the same answer. This same strategy applies to many different situations they may find themselves in.
Take a break.
If your child is becoming frustrated that things aren’t working out as they expected or hoped they would, give them a break. Teach them to walk away for a little bit and then come back and try again. Giving them a chance to calm down, clear their mind, and do something else can allow them to refocus. Sometimes their mind needs time to process and work through challenges. By not thinking about something intently, the answer may become clearer later.
Look for the positives.
Not every situation goes as planned, but there are still lessons that can be learned. Your child may have been eager to get back into the classroom and been disappointed when that wasn’t the case. Focus on what they’ve learned since being home, such as navigating new technology, teaching themselves a new skill, working on a project they’re especially proud of, or not being afraid to speak up in front of their class during a video conference. These are things they may not have thought they would be able to do before, but now they can. Let them explore, try, and make mistakes on their own, because it’s part of the learning process.
Keep trying.
The spring semester has been difficult for many students, and you may be wondering if your child learned everything they need to know to be successful. While teachers will address any learning gaps in the fall as they review old content and begin to teach new material, you can help your child stay on track by signing them up for tutoring. This allows them to continue working on concepts or skills over the summer that they may have struggled with so they can feel more confident as the new school year starts. Also, it is still unclear exactly what teaching will look like in the fall, so this is a wonderful opportunity to keep your child’s learning going with less stress. Contact us today to learn more about our online and in-person services at Crafting Scholars!
