Resilience: Strategies for Parents and Educators Presented by: Western Elementary School Support Services © 2005 National Association of School Psychologists,

What is Resilience?

Resilience Resilience is the ability to become personally and professionally successful despite severe adversity Resilience is a normal trait that comes from inborn tendencies to adapt Resilience can be fostered in the right environment Paine (2002)

Resilience Developmental assets contribute to resilience: –External: positive experiences from people and organizations in the environment (support, empowerment, use of time, boundaries/expectations) –Internal: internalized qualities that shape judgment and choices (positive values, identity, commitment to learning, social competencies) Paine (2002)

Resilience Research indicates that students with a high number of developmental assets are less likely to engage in risk behaviors and more likely to succeed in school and maintain good health. Paine (2002)

The Importance of Resilience Represents the ability to deal with life’s challenges in a positive and productive manner Plays a central role in a person’s recovery after exposure to trauma or adversity Critical to understanding a person’s reaction to trauma or adversity

The Importance of Resilience Resilience is essential to success in school and life Adults can help children become more resilient Fostering resilience in children improves school and personal outcomes and reduces risk behaviors

Adversity Family problems, school problems, health issues, poverty, violence, peer rejection, and crises are all examples of types of adversity that can undermine a child’s mental health and interfere with learning.

Possible Risks for Children Facing Adversity Academic failure Social maladjustment Health problems Poverty Mental illness Substance abuse Law enforcement involvement

Promoting Resilience There are strategies that adults who work with children can use to promote resilience Each strategy can be adapted to the environment in which it is used (school, home, church, neighborhood)

Promoting Resilience Be loving and supportive Foster positive attitudes Nurture positive emotions

Promoting Resilience Reinforce emotional intelligence Develop their competence Promote positive social connections

Promoting Resilience Provide consistent and clear expectations Encourage helping others Teach peace-building skills

Promoting Resilience Reduce stress Ensure healthy habits Provide medical care Good prenatal care encourages resilience

Building Resilience in Schools: System-Wide Create schools and classrooms that promote: –Connectedness –Security –Personal Value –Competency Incorporate resilience skill building into the school curriculum and teacher strategies

Building Resilience as School Psychologists Provide direct service to students at-risk. –Incorporate resilience skill building into every student contact Help design and implement school-wide resilience skill building programs Educate parents and staff on their role in building resilience in children

Resilience Supports in Our School INSERT SPECIFICS FOR YOUR SCHOOL(S) HERE

To contact your school psychologist Liliana Felix, M.S., NCSP Caitlin McQueeney, M.S., Intern

NASP Online Resources for Parents V. S. Harvey (2007). Schoolwide Methods for Fostering Resiliency. Promoting Resiliency in Your Child. Adapted from V. S. Harvey (2003). Resiliency: Strategies for Parents and Educators in Helping Children and Home and School II: Information for Parents and Educators. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.

NASP Online Resources for Parents Building Resiliency: Helping Children Learn to Weather Tough Times. Adapted from V. S. Harvey (2003). Resiliency: Strategies for Parents and Educators in Helping Children and Home and School II: Information for Parents and Educators. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists. V. S. Harvey (2005). Fostering Resilience: A Handout for Teachers and Parents. NASP Communiqué`, 34(3).

NASP Online Resources for Members Book Chapter: –Paine s. & Paine C.K. (2002). Promoting Safety and Success in School by Developing Students’ Strengths. In M.R. Shinn, H. W. Walker, & G Stoner (Eds.), Interventions for Academic and Behavior Problems II: Preventative and Remedial Approaches, (pp ). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.

NASP Online Resources for Members Research Articles: –Harrington, P. L. (Ed.). (1998). Resilience Applied: The Promise and Pitfalls of School-Based Resilience Programs. School Psychology Review, 27(3). –Smith J. & Cochrane, W. S. (2006). Interventions to Enhance Resilience for Children At Risk for Disruptive Behavior Disorders. NASP Communiqué`, 35 (4).

NASP Online Resources for Members Crisis Response Handout: –Identifying Seriously Traumatized Children: Tips for Parents and Educators. NASP Resources: Crisis Resource: Trauma. –Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Traumatic Events: Tips for Parents and Teachers. NASP Resources> Crisis>Trauma.

NASP Online Resources for Members PowerPoint Presentation: –Resilience: Strategies for Parents and Educators.

NASP Online Resources for Members Goldstein, S. & Brooks, R. (2005). Defining a Clinical Psychology of Resilience. NASP Communiqué 33(5). R. B. Armistead, K.C. Cowan (2005, November). Resilience. NASP Communiqué: Communication Matters, 34(3).

Other NASP Resources Book Chapters: –McNamara, K. (2002). Best Practice in Promotion of Social Competence in Schools. In A. Thomas & J. Grimes (Eds.), Best Practices in School Psychology IV (pp ). –Brock, S. E. (2002). Identifying Individuals at Risk for Psychological Trauma. In A. Thomas & J. Grimes (Eds.), Best Practices in School Crisis Prevention and Intervention (pp ). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.

Other NASP Resources Brock, S.E., Lazarus, P.J., & Jimerson, S.R.(2002). Creating Nurturing Classroom Environments, chapter from Best Practices in School Crisis Prevention and Intervention. NASP Publication

Other NASP Resources Doll, B., Zucker, S., & Brehm, K. (2004). Resilient Classrooms: Creating Healthy Environments for Learning (Practical Intervention in the Schools). New York: Guilford Press