Building Resilience in Children: 5 Lessons From Parents

In this article, we explore five unique strategies to foster resilience in children, shared by CEOs, managers, and other professionals. From fostering resilience through entrepreneurship to music lessons, these insights provide practical examples of how to help children overcome challenges and build their resilience.

• Increase Self-Sufficiency Through Entrepreneurship
• Healthy Risk-Taking Improves Confidence
• Discuss How Setback Are Growth Opportunities
• Tackle Challenges to Build Problem-Solving Skills
• Practice Patience With Music Lessons

Increase Self-Sufficiency Through Entrepreneurship

When my daughter was a teenager, her dream was to become a fashion designer. At the time, K-pop music was all the rage. She and her friends were huge fans. So, I encouraged her to turn her hobby into a business.

It started out small. She designed graphics based loosely on a K-pop song or statement that a singer made. Next, she found a local screen printer that would turn her designs into custom shirts. Then, she used social media to market each design.

Not every design was a winner. Sometimes she lost her entire investment. But each time a challenge occurred, she learned from it and got better and better.

In the year before she went away to college, she learned valuable lessons. She not only became more resilient, but more self-sufficient as well.

Doug Staneart, CEO, The Leaders Institute

Healthy Risk-Taking Improves Confidence

Encouraging children to engage in healthy risk-taking activities can foster resilience. By stepping out of their comfort zone, they can overcome challenges. For example, my child joined a school debate team, despite initial nervousness. 

During the competition, they faced challenging opponents and struggled with performance anxiety. However, through perseverance and practice, they gradually improved their skills and confidence. 

Although they didn’t always win, they learned valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and hard work. This experience helped them develop the resilience of facing future challenges head-on and grow from them.

Jason Cheung, Operations Manager, Credit KO

Discuss How Setback Are Growth Opportunities

By allowing children to experience failure and setbacks, they learn valuable lessons and develop resilience. My child participated in a science fair and didn’t win. Instead of shielding them from failure, I discussed how setbacks are opportunities for growth. 

We analyzed their project, identified areas for improvement, and set new goals. This experience taught them perseverance, problem-solving, and the importance of learning from mistakes. 

Ultimately, they applied these lessons to future endeavors, performed better, and developed a resilient mindset.

Roy Lau, Co-Founder, 28 Mortgage

Tackle Challenges to Build Problem-Solving Skills

Teaching children problem-solving skills is a valuable strategy to foster resilience. By breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps, children learn to tackle challenges systematically. 

For example, when my child faced a difficult school project, I helped them create a detailed plan and break it down into smaller, achievable goals. This approach empowered them to approach the project with confidence and build resilience as they overcame each hurdle.

Yoana Wong, Co-Founder, Secret Florists

Practice Patience With Music Lessons

My husband is a music teacher, and when I noticed how hard it was for kids to grasp playing a musical instrument and how fun it was, I knew my kids had no option but to learn. My oldest plays the violin, and my youngest plays the drums.

Every time my youngest has a class, I can see her struggle to get the beat right, but she pushes herself each time and is proud of her achievement when she gets it right. When my older daughter won two competitions, she finally understood why hard work pays off. 

Now, she doesn’t struggle with practice and pushing through difficult tasks. Her patience and resilience are setting a good example for her younger sister.

Shalom Kamau, Freelance Lifestyle Writer, Active Little Feet

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