InBrief: How Resilience is Built
Understanding Resilience in Children
The Nature of Resilience
- Philip A. Fisher emphasizes that resilience is not an innate quality but a skill that can be developed, even under challenging circumstances.
- W. Thomas Boyce identifies relationships with caring individuals as the core ingredient for building resilience in children.
Role of Community and Relationships
- Jack P. Shonkoff highlights the importance of families, teachers, coaches, and community members in raising children; no child grows up in isolation.
- Research indicates that supportive interactions from various adults help children develop coping skills and adapt to challenges.
Developing Coping Skills
- Linda C. Mayes discusses the concept of an "adaptive toolkit" that enables children to manage stress through learned skills like deferring gratification.
- As children mature, their ability to monitor situations and solve problems becomes more sophisticated.
Community Involvement in Resilience Building
- Jack P. Shonkoff argues for enhancing adult capabilities within communities to support children's positive life outcomes effectively.
- Philip A. Fisher notes that when communities actively engage in crafting solutions for resilience, significant progress can be made.
Collective Benefits of Resilience Building
- Shonkoff concludes that fostering resilience is beneficial for everyone involved; it creates a ripple effect of positive outcomes across society.