Learning About Resilience for Kids
By definition, resilience refers to somebody or something that can recover or bounce back quickly. The Resilience Curve from The Cigna Resilience Index shows that 45% of children ages 5 to 10 can be considered resilient, however, it decreases to just 34% by the ages of 11 to 13 and older.
Serious Challenges
Some kids today are facing more serious challenges, including bullying as well as a family death, illness, or breakdown. And some kids are facing even more challenges than their peers due to chronic health conditions, disabilities (both mental and physical), disorders, learning difficulties, mental health issues, and more. Resilience in kids can also differ widely between certain areas of our country and other countries as well.
For example, in Australia, the average resilience score for adolescents was a total of 26.5 out of 40.1. This would suggest that a fairly decent percentage of average 16 to 17-year-olds see themselves as being able to frequently display resilient characteristics. Boys actually scored higher than girls at 27.6 out of 40 compared to the girls’ overall score of 25.5. This may very well be the result of good experiences that formed better resilience when they were younger kids.
Playing Develops Resilience
What strategies can be helpful in drawing out kids’ resilience? In short, that strategy is simply playing. Why? Because kids who have grown up being scared don’t learn about playing but only about surviving. That’s why it’s so important to bring out the natural playfulness in kids and give them opportunities to discover, heal, and learn. Like Mr. Rogers once said, “Playing gives children a chance to practice what they’re learning.”
At our summer day camp, we create plenty of fun and educational play experiences for kids of all ages. And all of that playing is successful at giving them excellent methods for engaging in solving problems, developing self-regulation skills, and forming lasting relationships.
Kids Need Resilience
Children need to develop resilience because they’re experiencing a massive amount of both mental and physical growth every single day. Resilience helps them to be capable of approaching new people, experiences, and situations with plenty of confidence as well as a positive mindset, making them more likely to achieve success. A summer day camp like ours can go a long way toward teaching them to be more resilient. So, to that end, here are a few tips for building resilience in kids:
- Help kids by having them help others
- Help them to move toward their goals
- Keep things in perspective
- Maintain a daily routine
- Maintain a hopeful outlook
- Make connections
- Nurture positive self-views
- Take a break when needed
- Teach kids good self-care
Resilience Can Give Kids Strength
Resilience is especially important for kids because it can give them the strength that they need for processing and overcoming hardships in life. Kids who are lacking in resilience have a tendency toward becoming easily overwhelmed, which could lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse.
The more resilient children are, the less likely it is that they’ll experience stress since they’re better equipped for dealing with the pressures of life. So, building resilience in them can help them with the sometimes daunting task of overcoming obstacles more easily while also reducing any chances of having to suffer from issues like anxiety and some other stress-related disorders. And a safe kids camp can be an excellent steppingstone toward increased resilience in kids.
Qualities of Resilient Kids
Some of the positive qualities that resilient children often display include the following:
- Being assertive
- Being capable of showing initiative
- Being trustworthy and responsible
- Demonstrating a healthy interest in school
- Effectively solving problems
- Maintaining a positive outlook on life and a sense of purpose
- Showing empathy toward others
- Setting and attaining realistic goals
How Can Resilience Be Developed in Kids?
It’s partially shaped by the culture and upbringing of the child. It can, however, also be taught via social skills development. Adults can be helpful with promoting resilience-building by being good role models when it comes to teaching coping skills and problem-solving, as well as helping kids with the task of solving their own problems when they come up.
Resilience in kids is much more likely when there are plenty of support systems all around them from their community, family, school, and even their day camp. There’s a close network around kids who attend Chartwell’s Happy Day Camp in Marlton, which gives them more opportunities for creating healthier relationships and building more resilience.
It may seem to some people that resilience has become a popular buzzword these days when discussing child-rearing. However, the fact is that it really is important. And, it takes a village, from school staff to parents and even camp counselors, to effectively build resilience in our children. While we all want them to become as resilient as possible, we also need to ensure they’re well aware that it’s OK to ask for help when they need it.
More About Our Day Camp
At Chartwell’s Happy Day Camp, we are very proud of our very exclusive camp for kids ages 3 to 15. We know that you’re probably one of the many Marlton parents who expect a high-quality, safe summer camp for your kids, and that’s exactly what you’ll get here. Your child will enjoy the acres of supervised fun that they’ll discover here.
We offer everything from half-day to full-day camp and even extended-day options for your convenience. And, your kids can enjoy a special day camp experience that’s chock-full of everything that’s fun-filled from exciting adventures to creative expression, fulfilling friendships, thrills, and even camp activities that are both action-packed and confidence-building. Some of those amazing activities include but are not limited to:
- Arts and crafts
- Exciting science experiments
- Games and sports (like Little Kicks Soccer)
- Karate demonstrations
- Music and nature
- Our fitness kid program
- Swim lessons (free)
All of our Happy Day Camp counselors are not only highly experienced but also extremely dedicated to your child having a safe, fun-filled day camp experience here at Chartwell. In addition, all of our spectacular in-house shows and other events are included. As you can see, there’s more than enough here to make your kids extremely well-rounded and happy. We’re also confident that their day camp experiences and happier demeanor are sure to make you love Chartwell’s Happy Day Camp in Marlton, NJ, as much as your kids do.
Contact Us Today
If you want your child to learn to be more resilient while also having a great time doing it, contact us to find out more about our amazing summer day camp and all of the great activities that can assist in teaching your children more about resilience. At Chartwell’s Happy Day Camp in Marlton, NJ, we offer everything that a safe kids camp should be and then some! We’re located at the Chartwell Swim Club, 136 Paragon Ave, Marlton, NJ 08053. Our phone number is (856) 983-8827, or if you’d like to email us for more information, our email address is chartwell@chartwellfun.com. We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon.