Feisty and Fun: Raising Resilient Toddlers and Encouraging their Families Sally Holloway and Christy Wales, M.S. Focus on Children February 4, 2012

Resilience is the ability to recover or ‘bounce back’ from adversity and stressful events. To recover from or adjust to misfortune or change Overcoming the Odds

Emily Werner The Kauai Longitudinal Study Followed 700 children from birth to midlife Early care matters…protective processes such as easy temperament, positive parent interactions contribute to recovery Certain stressful events in early years increase likelihood of poor adaption in mid-life Community, teachers, mentors matter

Resilience Model Child Risk Factors Poor health or delays Trauma or illness Temperament Family Risk Factors Poverty Abuse, neglect, DV Low education Depression Substance abuse Child Protective Factors Good health and care High lang/social skills Sense of humor Family Protective Factors Stable housing Parental warmth Approp. expectations Extended support Faith and values

People are like rubber bands… which one are you? Think for a moment about a rubber band. What comes to mind? Material? Uses for the rubber band? The fact that they wear out? That they can become brittle? That they can snap? That rubber bands come in different sizes? In different thicknesses? That some are easier to stretch than others? Have you thought about how hot and cold can affect their properties? That children (and some adults who behave like children) like to shoot them at each other? How can this analogy help you think differently about a child’s social – emotional state or behavior?

Toddlers: It’s all about relationships and emotion regulation Floor time – using 1-1 play to follow the child’s lead Primary caregiving – 1 main contact for child and family, preferably throughout 1st 3 years Ease transition and routines with comfy items from home, family pictures at their eye level, Use a visible schedule with picture so children know what’s coming. Sing the same songs for transitions for consistency Support multiple learning styles during transitions by giving a visual cue and a verbal prompt Reframe negatively worded statements in a positive way

Classroom Strategies for Preschoolers: Resilience can be learned Acknowledge feelings then set limits Model a rich ‘feelings’ vocabulary Praise persistence Make room for choices Coach problem solving Use small groups and books with themes Teach breathing and relaxation techniques Offer lots of large muscle activities 2 minute interventions throughout the day Eye contact is important

The family’s role in fostering resilience in the child: A close relationship with at least one adult is important for children Extended social support reduces stress Giving children age appropriate responsibility (chores) fosters competence Consistent routines build a child’s confidence Talking about the future builds hope Family resilience is related to good child outcomes

Acknowledge Your Resiliency To see strengths in children, we must see our own strengths; to look beyond their risks and see their resiliency means acknowledging our own inner resiliency. Laugh more, have fun and stay hopeful!